RESEARCH ARTICLE
Post Surgical Review of Bariatric Surgery Patients: A Feasibility Study of Multidisciplinary Follow Up Using Videoconferencing
Emma Morrow*, Duff Morrison Bruce, Elizabeth Bruce, Cathy Dorrian , Fiona Sim
Article Information
Identifiers and Pagination:
Year: 2011Volume: 7
First Page: 84
Last Page: 88
Publisher ID: CPEMH-7-84
DOI: 10.2174/1745017901107010084
Article History:
Received Date: 5/4/2010Revision Received Date: 18/10/2010
Acceptance Date: 27/10/2010
Electronic publication date: 4/3/2011
Collection year: 2011
open-access license: This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.
Abstract
Background:
Bariatric surgery is an effective means of managing weight and reducing medical co-morbidities in the obese patient. However, psychological difficulties are common and adequate multidisciplinary support is vital for post-surgical success. Videoconferencing is potentially a vehicle for the delivery of support to patients residing in remote areas.
Methods:
Ten patients were invited to attend a videolink session utilising videoconferencing technology to allow clinicians to connect audio-visually with patients from two remote locations. Seven patients attended. A Consultant Surgeon, Clinical Psychologist and Specialist Dietitian reviewed the patients. Patients and clinicians completed a post-session evaluation questionnaire and commented on their experience.
Results:
The videolink session was evaluated as acceptable and useful to both patients and clinicians. Patients and clinicians were satisfied with the user-friendliness of the technology.
Conclusion:
Videolink technology may be a viable and accessible means of delivering specialist multidisciplinary input to bariatric patients. Further research is necessary.
