Improving information provision for patients undergoing vertical gastroplasty as surgical treatment for severe intractable obesity

Abstract

An information booklet, assessed for readability using the Flesch formula, was made available at the pre-operative stage to a consecutive series of adults with severe intractable obesity, who were to receive surgery (vertical gastroplasty) as treatment for this. At follow-up approximately 6 months after surgery, ratings of satisfaction with information and with surgical outcome were compared to the ratings from a previous series of patients who had undergone surgery without exposure to the booklet. Provision of the booklet led to a significant increase in satisfaction with information provided prior to surgery and a significant increase in satisfaction with outcome. Factor analysis suggested that satisfaction with information and satisfaction with other aspects of outcome are largely distinct in this population. It is concluded that providing information in easy-to-read written format prior to gastroplasty is beneficial to patients.