Expert Insights: In Conversation with Dr. Ana Cebrián Cuenca

At UNLOKall, we bring together leading voices shaping the future of metabolic health. Through our expert interviews, we explore real-world perspectives on emerging evidence, clinical practice, technology, and patient care, helping healthcare professionals translate innovation into impact.

Meet the Expert

Dr. Ana Cebrian Cuenca

Dr. Ana Cebrián Cuenca recently moderated a live Journal Club on UNLOKall on Metabolic Care: Addressing Gaps in Weight Management and Health Support. Watch the recording here.

Dr. Ana Cebrián Cuenca is a family physician at the Murcian Health Service in Cartagena, Spain, and a university lecturer and associate professor at Miguel Hernández University and the Catholic University of Murcia. She is a recognized leader in diabetes and chronic disease management in primary care, serving as Chair of the Chronic Diseases Group at WONCA and an executive member of Primary Care Diabetes Europe (PCDE). Dr. Cebrián is an active researcher, award-winning speaker, and author of numerous peer-reviewed publications in diabetes, cardiometabolic health, and primary care.

How do you see metabolic and weight management care changing over the next two years, particularly in primary care and multidisciplinary settings?

Over the next two years, metabolic and weight management care will become more integrated, proactive, and personalised, especially in primary care. We will move away from a purely weight-centric approach toward a cardio–renal–metabolic risk framework, where obesity is recognised as a chronic disease requiring long-term management. Multidisciplinary collaboration, involving primary care, nursing, endocrinology, cardiology, and dietitians, will be essential to deliver timely, effective care.

AI and digital tools are becoming part of everyday care. Have you come across any tools or approaches that could realistically support diagnosis, follow-up, or long-term management in metabolic care?

Yes, particularly tools that support risk stratification, clinical decision-making, and follow-up. AI-driven dashboards that integrate weight, glycaemic control, blood pressure, and renal markers can help clinicians identify patients at higher risk earlier. Digital tools can also support remote follow-up, adherence monitoring, and patient engagement, which is crucial in chronic metabolic conditions.

Based on this Journal Club, which gaps in weight management and metabolic health support feel most urgent to address, and where could technology make the biggest difference?

One of the most urgent gaps is the delay in recognising obesity as a disease that deserves active treatment, rather than lifestyle advice alone. Another key gap is continuity of care. Technology can make a real difference by enabling structured follow-up, better coordination between care levels, and personalised support, particularly for patients who struggle to stay engaged over time.

How do formats like Journal Clubs and online education help clinicians translate new evidence into practical changes in patient care?

They are essential. Journal Clubs provide a space to interpret evidence critically, discuss real-world barriers, and share practical solutions. This helps bridge the gap between guidelines and everyday practice. Online formats also make high-quality education more accessible, allowing clinicians to learn, reflect, and adapt new knowledge at their own pace.

What motivated you to take part in this Journal Club, and why should people attend sessions like this one?

I was motivated by the opportunity to engage in a practical, multidisciplinary discussion about real challenges we face in metabolic care. Sessions like this go beyond theory — they focus on how to apply evidence in daily practice. That’s incredibly valuable for clinicians who want to improve patient outcomes, not just stay informed.

With AI, new therapies, and evolving guidelines, staying current can feel overwhelming. Why should clinicians attend sessions like this to stay up to date?

Because no one can keep up alone. These sessions help clinicians prioritise what really matters, understand how innovations fit into clinical workflows, and gain confidence in decision-making. They also create a sense of community, reminding us that learning is a shared process, not an individual burden.

Metabolic care is evolving rapidly, and primary care plays a central role in driving meaningful change. Staying curious, open to innovation, and connected through shared learning spaces like this one is key to delivering better, more compassionate care for our patients.

Learn from Dr. Ana Cebrián Cuenca’s Expertise