Nurse-led case management for bariatric surgery patients offered better outcomes compared to usual care, a literature review indicates.
A review of 10 studies found that a multidisciplinary approach that began in the preoperative period and emphasized behavioral change offered better results, including increased weight loss and physical activity as well as improved quality of life.
“The care planning and the interventions found in the selected studies revealed a diversity of findings that mostly converge on a PCC (Patient-centered Care) model,” wrote the authors in their study published in Obesity Reviews. “The PCC models promote a notably increased adherence to the treatment and patient satisfaction supported by patient-centered communication.”
The authors note, however, that it is unclear how long these interventions should last. Most of the studies they looked at started behavioral intervention prior to survey but only one was still being evaluated a year after. They note that other research has suggested that post-surgery intervention should be longer than six months.
Weight loss during the first six months is a result of surgery, but that’s also the time when adoption of long-term lifestyle changes is more likely to occur.
The multidisciplinary nature of the team working with bariatric-surgery patients makes coordination key.
“Behavioral change and self-management of these patients are the main focus of the interventions. Factors addressed by the multidisciplinary team responsible for the follow up are dietary and exercise guidance to continue the path to weight loss and reduction of comorbidities along with increased self-esteem and the sense of well-being,” they conclude. “Case- managing highlights the importance of continuous monitoring in the long-term, tackling these interventions as chronic disease management interventions.”
