Sizing Up General Practice Environments for Big-Bodied Patients: An Environmental Assessment of Three Facilities in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Objectives: This research describes the physical environments of and equipment in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) general practices in relation to available standards for big-bodied people (BBP) seeking healthcare.

Background: The prevalence of BBP both in NZ and globally has increased over the last 30 years and is expected to increase further. As the first and most utilized point of contact for patients in NZ and many countries, it is essential that general practices provide suitable environments to cater for and meet the needs of big-bodied patients seeking healthcare.