Publications (2)4.67 Total impact
-
Article: Shared medical appointments for bariatric surgery follow-up: a patient satisfaction questionnaire.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Shared medical appointments (SMAs) are group clinics where practitioners see several patients, with common health needs, at once. There is a great financial strain on the National Health Service (NHS) to provide bariatric surgery. The aim of this study was to review patient satisfaction with the SMA that is the default means of following up patients after bariatric surgery at one particular NHS trust. A patient-validated questionnaire was designed and handed out at the end of the SMAs. Patients who attended an SMA earlier in 2011 were also retrospectively sent questionnaires via post. A total of 47 patients completed the questionnaire from seven different SMAs covering the period from January to July 2011. All patients underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. After attending an SMA, patients gave an overall mean satisfaction rating of 4.13 ± 0.163 (on a scale of 1 to 5, 1 = very poor and 5 = excellent) which represented an increase (p < 0.01) compared to preconceptions before the clinic (3.59 ± 0.175). A cost analysis estimated a yearly saving of £4,617 or 65.1% made by the SMAs compared to 1:1 appointments. The bariatric surgery SMA demonstrates high levels of patient satisfaction and is cost-effective.Obesity Surgery 04/2012; 22(4):641-5. · 3.29 Impact Factor -
Article: An overview of the management of morbid obesity.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Obesity is a modern-day epidemic with serious physical, psychological and economic implications for the patients. Tackling obesity is now a priority for most healthcare providers. Managing such patients can be complex, emotional, time consuming and often frustrating. Obesity surgery, in its various forms, has revolutionised this struggle. With appropriate selection of patients, adequate resources and a multidisciplinary team involvement, obesity can now effectively be "cured". It is vital that those who deal with obese patients know how to access these services and understand the processes involved in the journey from initial assessment to postoperative follow-up. Obesity surgery has a major impact in reducing obesity-related comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension and contributes to society by returning patients to work. Prevention must be at the heart of any strategy to manage obesity, but, for established cases, surgery is taking centre stage and will continue to flourish as new techniques and procedures are developed.Postgraduate medical journal 12/2009; 85(1010):678-81. · 1.38 Impact Factor
