Evaluation of a bariatric monitoring pass for primary care physicians

Introduction There is a growing number of patients undergoing bariatric surgery requiring lifelong follow-up. Therefore, follow-up care can no longer be covered by specialized outpatient clinics alone due to the sharp rise in the number of bariatric patients. BagEL (Bariatric Patients in Primary Care: Post-operative Nutrition and Lifestyle Management) is a survey to evaluate a newly developed structured disease management program including nutrition and lifestyle management in primary care. Methods The study is conceived as a randomized cohort study with a control group. An expert questionnaire for general practitioners (GPs) was developed to assess the usability of a structured post-operative care system regarding nutrition and lifestyle management for bariatric patients in primary care. A structured follow-up program in primary care with a so-called “bariatric monitoring passport” (BMP) was provided for patients in the intervention group (INT) and the existing information sheet “Metabolic surgery and perioperative care” for the control group (CON). 124 patients, who met inclusion criteria and who underwent a bariatric procedure first time, served as ambassadors for delivery of the expert questionnaire and study documents to their individual GPs. Results A total of 39 (31,5%) different GPs from 124 ambassador patients responded. For the primary outcome “Does the aftercare-booklets support treatment of bariatric patients?” GPs of the INT group rated the new designed aftercare booklet (INT) significantly more helpful for treating bariatric patients than the one from the CON group (p=0,041). Discussion/Conclusion These results suggest that GPs are welcoming supportive tools like our BMP to improve the care of long-term follow-up of bariatric patients and should actively participate in the development of lifelong disease management plans necessary to cope with the rapidly growing number of patients.