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What are the support experiences and needs of patients who have received bariatric surgery?
Citation
Sharman, Melanie and Hensher, M and Wilkinson, S and Williams, D and Palmer, A and Venn, A and Ezzy, D, What are the support experiences and needs of patients who have received bariatric surgery?, Health Expectations, 20, (1) pp. 35-46. ISSN 1369-6513 (2017) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
Copyright 2015 The Authors Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Abstract
Objective To explore the support needs and experiences of patients
who had received publicly or privately funded bariatric surgery and
the importance of this support in mediating outcomes of surgery.
Methods Seven semi-structured focus groups were conducted. A
broad interview schedule guided the discussions which were
audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed
thematically.
Results Twenty-six women and 15 men with a mean age of 54 years
(range 24–72) participated in the study. Participants described support
needs from health professionals, significant others (family and
friends), peers (bariatric surgery recipients) and the general community.
Peer, dietetic and psychological support were identified as
important factors influencing the outcomes (e.g. weight reduction or
health improvement) or experience of bariatric surgery but were
identified as infrequently received or inadequately provided. Psychological
support was proposed as one of the most significant but
commonly overlooked components of care. Support needs appeared
higher in the first year post-surgery, when subsequent related or
unrelated surgeries were required and following significant life
change such as worsening health. For some participants, deficits in
support appeared to negatively influence the experience or outcomes
of surgery.
Conclusion Providers of bariatric surgery should discuss support
needs and accessibility regularly with patients especially in the first
year post-surgery and following significant change in a patient’s life
(e.g. declined health or childbirth). Nutrition, psychological and peer
support (e.g. through support groups) may be especially important
for some patients.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | Bariatric Surgery, Public Health |
| Research Division: | Human Society |
| Research Group: | Sociology |
| Research Field: | Sociology not elsewhere classified |
| Objective Division: | Health |
| Objective Group: | Evaluation of health and support services |
| Objective Field: | Evaluation of health and support services not elsewhere classified |
| UTAS Author: | Sharman, Melanie (Dr Melanie Sharman) |
| UTAS Author: | Williams, D (Dr Danielle Williams) |
| UTAS Author: | Palmer, A (Professor Andrew Palmer) |
| UTAS Author: | Venn, A (Professor Alison Venn) |
| UTAS Author: | Ezzy, D (Professor Douglas Ezzy) |
| ID Code: | 104270 |
| Year Published: | 2017 (online first 2015) |
| Funding Support: | National Health and Medical Research Council (1076899) |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 19 |
| Deposited By: | School of Social Sciences |
| Deposited On: | 2015-11-06 |
| Last Modified: | 2017-11-20 |
| Downloads: | 180 View Download Statistics |
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