For patients living with severe obesity, finding medical care can be an uphill battle. They posed as patients seeking care in five specialties: dermatology, endocrinology, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedic surgery, and otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat). The hypothetical patient could walk independently and did not require assistance getting onto an exam table. “Patients living with severe obesity are already struggling with shame and difficulty navigating the world,” said Dr. Tara Lagu, senior author of the study. They stress that both urban and rural clinics must make these changes, since patients in rural areas often have fewer options for specialized care.