The Growing Knowledge Gap in the Treatment and Management of the Disease of Severe Obesity in Medical Training.

Objective: Although bariatric surgery is effective and safe, current medical school curricula do not supply students with the knowledge and confidence to deliver comprehensive obesity treatment. To better characterize the gap between actual and ideal knowledge of obesity treatment, we explored the understanding of the disease of obesity and its treatment options among medical students and surgical residents. Design: Surveys were sent to surgical clerkship students and general surgery residents. Residents were used as a reference group, as their experience with bariatric surgery patients gives them a broader understanding of obesity care. Setting: The study was conducted at an academic medical center. Participants: The study include medical students and general surgery residents. Measurements: Data were extracted into Excel 2018 (Microsoft; Redmond, WA, US) and statistical analysis was carried out via MedCalc (Version 20.010; Ostend, Belgium). Rating scales were treated as parametric variables and expressed as mean and standard deviation (SD). Comparisons were performed via student's t-test. Significance was set at p=0.05. Results: Students perceived bariatric surgery as less safe and effective than did surgery residents (p<0.01 and p=0.03, respectively). Students reported significantly less confidence than residents discussing surgical treatments for obesity, the impact of bariatric surgery on medications, and "weight" with patients (p<0.01, p<0.01, and p<0.01, respectively). Students were less likely to refer a patient with obesity for surgical therapy, even if they met appropriate criteria (p=0.03). Conclusion: Medical students begin practice lacking critical knowledge of obesity and available treatment options. Further work should be done to drive curricular changes to increase student skills in delivering comprehensive care to patients with obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]