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The support needs of patients waiting for publicly funded bariatric surgery - implications for health service planners

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-19, 00:35 authored by Melanie SharmanMelanie Sharman, Alison VennAlison Venn, Kim JoseKim Jose, Danielle Williams, Hensher, M, Andrew PalmerAndrew Palmer, Wilkinson, S, Douglas EzzyDouglas Ezzy
The objective of this study was to investigate the experience of waiting for publicly funded bariatric surgery in an Australian tertiary healthcare setting. Focus groups and individual interviews involving people waiting for or who had undergone publicly funded bariatric surgery were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically. A total of 11 women and 6 men engaged in one of six focus groups in 2014, and an additional 10 women and 9 men were interviewed in 2015. Mean age was 53 years (range 23–66); mean waiting time was 6 years (range 0–12), and mean time since surgery was 4 years (range 0–11). Waiting was commonly reported as emotionally challenging (e.g. frustrating, depressing, stressful) and often associated with weight gain (despite weight-loss attempts) and deteriorating physical health (e.g. development of new or worsening obesity-related comorbidity or decline in mobility) or psychological health (e.g. development of or worsening depression). Peer support, health and mental health counselling, integrated care and better communication about waitlist position and management (e.g. patient prioritization) were identified support needs. Even if wait times cannot be reduced, better peer and health professional supports, together with better communication from health departments, may improve the experience or outcomes of waiting and confer quality-of-life gains irrespective of weight loss.

Funding

National Health & Medical Research Council

Department of Health and Human Services Tasmania

Department of Premier and Cabinet

History

Publication title

Clinical Obesity

Volume

7

Pagination

46-53

ISSN

1758-8103

Department/School

Menzies Institute for Medical Research

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Place of publication

United Kingdom

Rights statement

Copyright 2016 World Obesity Federation

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Public health (excl. specific population health) not elsewhere classified

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