Abstract
BackgroundThere are several healthcare professionals involved in health information provision regarding bariatric surgery, such as bariatric surgeons, nutritionists, and medical doctors in outpatient settings. Trustworthy health information supports patients in understanding their diagnosis, treatment decisions, and possible prognosis. Therefore, it is necessary to provide health information on bariatric surgery. This study has two distinct objectives. The first is to outline the delivery of healthcare regarding bariatric surgery in Germany. The second is to describe the information provision within healthcare delivery.MethodsWe conducted 15 semi-structured telephone interviews with bariatric surgeons between April 2018 and February 2019. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The interview guide consisted of four sections (information about the clinic/surgeon and surgical procedures, preoperative procedure, postoperative procedure, information needs). The transcribed interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis supported by MAXQDA software.ResultsThe pre- and postoperative processes differed substantially between clinics. Additionally, every bariatric clinic had its own information provision concept. There were several cost-related issues the surgeons claimed to be relevant for patients, such as nutritional blood tests or postoperative psychotherapy. These issues were often caused by unclearness of responsibility within the medical disciplines involved.ConclusionHealthcare delivery in bariatric surgery in Germany is heterogeneous in terms of pre- and postoperative care. Therefore, preoperative information provision between the clinics differs. The impact of this heterogeneous healthcare delivery and information provision on patients’ information needs regarding bariatric surgery should be further investigated among patients and other healthcare professionals involved.
Highlights
In 2016, more than 650 million adults worldwide (13%) were living with obesity [1]
Compared to nonsurgical interventions, such as lifestyle modifications or pharmacotherapy, bariatric surgery (BS) especially sleeve gastrectomy or Roux-en-Y-bypass [2] are most effective in the treatment of severe obesity
The aim of this study was to describe the delivery of healthcare and explore the provision of information on BS in Germany from the perspective of bariatric surgeons
Summary
In 2016, more than 650 million adults worldwide (13%) were living with obesity [1]. Obesity unlike other diseases is preventable, but without any intervention, its reversal is uncommon. Compared to nonsurgical interventions, such as lifestyle modifications or pharmacotherapy, bariatric surgery (BS) especially sleeve gastrectomy (with and without modifications) or Roux-en-Y-bypass [2] are most effective in the treatment of severe obesity. Patients must take weight management program prior to surgery over a period of 6 months. There are several healthcare professionals involved in health information provision regarding bariatric surgery, such as bariatric surgeons, nutritionists, and medical doctors in outpatient settings. Trustworthy health information supports patients in understanding their diagnosis, treatment decisions, and possible prognosis. It is necessary to provide health information on bariatric surgery. The first is to outline the delivery of healthcare regarding bariatric surgery in Germany. The second is to describe the information provision within healthcare delivery
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