Knowledge and Perception of Bariatric Surgery Among Primary Care Physicians: a Survey of Family Doctors in Ontario

Abstract

There appears to be a knowledge gap in understanding the role of bariatric surgery in the treatment of obesity. There is an opportunity to improve education and available resources for primary care physicians surrounding patient selection and follow-up care. This may improve access to treatment.

Weight management perceptions and clinical practices among gynaecology providers caring for reproductive‐aged patients

“…Although a majority of healthcare providers in our study indicated utilizing referral services, the frequency of referral placement was scored as rarely or almost never despite the overwhelming evidence that bariatric surgery results in greater weight loss compared with all other interventions (41) and that a multidisciplinary approach to weight management is more effective (42)(43)(44). The findings of this study are consistent with other studies among non-OB/GYN providers demonstrating infrequent referrals (45,46). Physician-perceived lack of patient interest, patient refusal, increased operative fees, lack of confidence in bariatric surgery and lack of access to nearby bariatric centres have been cited as reasons for nonreferral (45,46).…”

The knowledge of Polish primary care physicians about bariatric surgery.

“…Our current results show that physicians are almost always (99.5%) familiar with the possibility of surgical treatment of obesity, but only 166 (81.8%) respondents knew the indications for a bariatric operation. In the study published by Giaro et al the only surgical technique of treatment for obesity known by 39% of participating GPs was the gastric balloon implantation [20], and in the study by Auspitz et al only 23.8% of physicians felt comfortable explaining the procedure to the patient [24]. In our study 75.5% of physicians were able to explain to their patients how the bariatric operations are performed, and 69.8% of respondents could name the most commonly performed bariatric procedures.…”

“…Tork et al published in 2015 results of a survey presented to primary care physicians which indicated that all respondents were aware of the benefits of bariatric surgery, including diminishing diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia [21]. A publication by Auspitz et al showed that 48.1% of physicians responding to the survey support metabolic surgery for patients with diabetes [24]. Our results showed that the majority of respondents (96.6%) were aware that bariatric surgery is useful in the treatment of metabolic syndrome.…”

“…The survey by Tork et al showed that most respondents (59%) reported that at least 1 in 4 of their patients had a BMI ≥ 35 kg/m 2 , but only 9% indicated that they frequently or almost always refer their morbidly obese patients to bariatric surgeons [21]. In a study by Auspitz et al , 87% of physicians had referred patients for bariatric surgery, but most (70.2%) had referred no more than 5% of their morbidly obese patients within the previous 12 months [24]. We found that 59 physicians participating in our study did not refer any patients to bariatric surgery but only 4 claimed that they did not have any candidates for a bariatric operation.…”

“…Results obtained by Tork et al showed that 63% of physicians who answered the survey believed that providing educational pamphlets and seminars to GPs on the topic of treatment and management of morbidly obese patients would increase referrals to bariatric surgery [21]. In the publication by Auspitz et al , 92.5% of respondents would like to receive more education about bariatric surgery [24]. A previous Polish survey determined that nearly 92% of respondents see the need for education, regarding the surgical treatment of obesity [20].…”