If the patients are mobile without assistance, I’m not sure how the doctor’s staff gets injured. Even helping the patient balance while she’s climbing onto the exam table could lead to injury, but in that case the patient could be examined in a chair or standing. I’ve seen dentist-style chairs used in dermatology offices, which would be an extra expense but allows the patient to be raised up and reclined.
If the the doctor sees HMO patients, she might be concerned about the capitation (set fee for each patient) and the higher potential costs in treating overweight patients.
I’m a nurse and an EMT, and I really don’t see a problem treating independently mobile obese patients in the doctor’s office. You’re not going to hurt yourself lifting a heavy arm to take a blood pressure.
depending on the insurers and the contracts, the doc may get a significant bonus for keeping medical costs down, by excluding the obese, she increases her chance of getting a big bonus.
I’m not saying that her behaviour is right but you tend to get more of the behaviour that is rewarded.