Attitudes of Bariatric Surgeons to Weight and Obesity in Patients
Study into Bias and Prejudice in Weight Loss Surgeons
| Bariatric Surgery information Attitudes of Bariatric Surgeons to Weight and Obesity in Patients |
Study into Bias and Prejudice in Weight Loss Surgeons |
Guide to Weight Loss Surgery - Research Into Gastric Reduction Surgery |
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Attitudes of Bariatric Surgeons to Weight and Obesity in Patients A prior study found that nearly 80% of bariatric surgery patients felt that they were treated disrespectfully by members of the medical profession. This study assessed patient-physician interactions in a group of bariatric surgery patients and in a group of less obese patients who sought weight loss by other means. Methods A total of 105 bariatric surgery candidates (mean BMI, 54.8 kg/m(2)) and 214 applicants to a randomized controlled trial of the effects of behavior modification and sibutramine (mean BMI, 37.8 kg/m(2)) completed a questionnaire that assessed patient-physician interactions concerning weight. Results Only 13% of bariatric surgery patients reported that they were usually or always treated disrespectfully by members of the medical profession, a percentage substantially lower than that found in the previous study. Surprisingly, surgery patients were significantly more satisfied than non-surgery patients with the care they received for their obesity. Surgery patients also reported significantly more interactions with physicians concerning obesity and weight loss compared with nonsurgery patients. A substantial percentage of both groups, however, reported that their physician did not discuss weight control with them. Issues These and other findings suggest that doctor-patient interactions concerning weight may have improved in the past decade; however, there is still much room for improvement. Increased efforts are needed to help physicians discuss, assess, and potentially treat obesity in primary care practice. Source: Stomach Bypass Surgery Information |