Introduction Various definitions for bariatric surgery (BS)
success exist, with weight loss and comorbidity resolution
outcomes being the most prominent. The study’s aim was to
compare how various healthcare professionals perceive success
in BS.
Methods A 29-item, 10-point Likert scale online survey was
distributed via email to Israeli healthcare professionals involved
in the different BS aspects using common national professional
organizations. These included bariatric surgeons, dietitians, social
workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, primary care physicians,
gastroenterologists, and nurses. Statement relevancy to
BS success was rated. An item was classed as Bvery important^
for BS success if at least 70% of participants rated it 8 or higher
in each subgroup. Inter-observer agreement was calculated
using kappa statistics. Data on specific occupation, years-inpractice,
and major workplace were collected as well.
Results A total of 155 responses was obtained. The majority
of respondents were dietitians (34.8%, n = 54), followed by
bariatric surgeons (31.0%, n = 48) and nurses (14.8%, n = 23).
Most respondents work mainly at public hospitals (32.9%,
n = 51), followed by private hospitals (26.5%, n = 41). The
mean years-in-practice among all healthcare professionals
was 8.5 ± 8.5 years. Overall inter-observer agreement for prioritized
items in accordance to BS success among all health
professional subgroups was fair (Fleiss kappa = 0.278,
P < 0.001), while dietitians and mental health specialists
showed the highest agreement rate (Cohen’s kappa = 0.592,
P < 0.001).
Conclusion The study highlights the various views on defining
BS success by different healthcare professionals, although
there was some overlap of core outcomes prioritized by all
professionals. International uniform definitions for BS success
are required.

EB00000002251K

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• Perceptions of Success in Bariatric Surgery: a Nationwide Survey Among Medical Professionals