General Practitioner’s Knowledge about Bariatric Surgery Is Associated with Referral Practice to Bariatric Surgery Centers

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 18, pp. 10055

Abstract

(1) Background: Patients seeking treatment for obesity and related diseases often contact general practitioners (GPs) first. The aim of this study was to evaluate GPs’ knowledge about weight loss surgery (WLS) and potential stereotypes towards obese patients. (2) Methods: For this prospective cohort study, 204 GPs in the region of the bariatric surgery center at the University Hospital Aachen were included. The participants filled out a questionnaire comprising general treatment of obese patients, stigmatization towards obese patients (1–5 points) as well as knowledge regarding WLS (1–5 points). (3) Results: The mean age of the GPs was 54 years; 41% were female. Mean score for self-reported knowledge was 3.6 points out of 5. For stigma-related items, the mean score was 3.3 points out of 5. A total of 60% of the participants recognized bariatric surgery as being useful. Knowledge about bariatric surgery significantly correlated with the number of referrals to bariatric surgery centers (p < 0.001). No significant correlation was found between stigma and referral to surgery (p = 0.057). (4) Conclusions: The more GPs subjectively know about bariatric surgery, the more often they refer patients to bariatric surgery specialists—regardless of potentially present stereotypes. Therefore, GPs should be well informed about indications and opportunities of WLS.

Authors 8

1. Mara Egerer corresponding Aachen Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery

   Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of General-, Visceral- and Transplantation Surgery, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany

2. N. Kuth Aachen Department of General Medicine

   Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of General Medicine, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany

3. Alexander Hemdorff Koch Aachen Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolic Disorders

   Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolic Disorders, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany

4. Sophia M. Schmitz Aachen Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery

   Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of General-, Visceral- and Transplantation Surgery, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany

5. Andreas Kroh Aachen Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery

   Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of General-, Visceral- and Transplantation Surgery, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany

6. Ulf P. Neumann Aachen Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery

   Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of General-, Visceral- and Transplantation Surgery, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany

7. Tom Florian Ulmer Aachen Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery

   Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of General-, Visceral- and Transplantation Surgery, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany

8. Patrick H. Alizai Aachen Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery

   Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of General-, Visceral- and Transplantation Surgery, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany