Research Article: Polish healthcare professionals’ perceptions of GLP-1 receptor agonists in cardiometabolic risk reduction: a cross-sectional online survey in Poland
Abstract:
Cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders, including obesity and type 2 diabetes, remain leading global health challenges. Despite major advances in pharmacotherapy, the implementation of effective cardiometabolic prevention strategies remains suboptimal. Incretin-based therapies, particularly glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), have substantially transformed the management of metabolic diseases by providing benefits beyond glycaemic control, including sustained weight loss, improvements in metabolic parameters, and cardiovascular risk reduction.
To evaluate Polish healthcare professionals’ perceptions of GLP-1 receptor agonists in cardiometabolic risk management, with particular emphasis on perceived effectiveness, safety, selected psychological and behavioural effects, and reimbursement.
Cross-sectional online survey conducted among healthcare professionals in Poland between May and August 2025.
A structured, anonymous online questionnaire was disseminated through professional, institutional, and academic communication channels in Poland. The questionnaire assessed self-reported perceptions, beliefs, perceived clinical value, perceived safety, and implementation-related views regarding GLP-1 receptor agonists in cardiometabolic risk management. The final analytical sample included 1,100 healthcare professionals representing physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, and physiotherapists. Categorical responses were compared between professional groups using the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test, as appropriate. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between respondent characteristics and selected perceptions; adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and p-values were reported.
The final analytical sample included 1,100 healthcare professionals: physicians (n = 164), pharmacists (n = 133), nurses (n = 160), physiotherapists (n = 361), and dietitians (n = 282). GLP-1 receptor agonists were most frequently rated as “very effective” for weight loss by physiotherapists (87.3%) and dietitians (84.8%), followed by nurses (59.4%) and physicians (52.4%). Perceived safety was high across all groups, with GLP-1 receptor agonists considered safe by 94.0% of dietitians, 93.9% of physiotherapists, 87.2% of physicians, 85.0% of pharmacists, and 69.4% of nurses. Support for reimbursement was also high, ranging from 75.0% among nurses to 97.2% among dietitians. In multivariable analyses among physicians, employment in a diabetology or endocrinology setting was strongly associated with perceiving GLP-1 receptor agonists as very effective for weight reduction (adjusted OR 11.80, 95% CI 3.88–35.84; p < 0.001), as well as with perceived stress reduction (adjusted OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.05–7.02; p = 0.039), anxiety reduction (adjusted OR 7.00, 95% CI 2.01–24.42; p = 0.002), and improvement in depressive symptoms (adjusted OR 5.81, 95% CI 1.68–20.07; p = 0.005).
Among participating healthcare professionals in Poland, GLP-1 receptor agonists were generally perceived as effective and safe options for cardiometabolic risk management. Perceptions differed across professional groups, particularly regarding weight reduction, safety, psychological and behavioural effects, and reimbursement. Because educational gaps, implementation barriers, real-world adoption, and interdisciplinary care models were not directly assessed as primary outcomes, these areas should be addressed in future studies using dedicated instruments.
Introduction:
Cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders, including obesity and type 2 diabetes, remain leading global health challenges. Despite major advances in pharmacotherapy, the implementation of effective cardiometabolic prevention strategies remains suboptimal. Incretin-based therapies, particularly glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), have substantially transformed the management of metabolic diseases by providing benefits beyond glycaemic control, including sustained weight loss, improvements…
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