Facilitators and barriers of health education for patients undergoing bariatric surgery

Living with morbid obesity is challenging due to various risk of health complications. Bariatric surgery offers effective treatment to improve overall quality of life. However, issues arise to deliver optimal health education for patients undergoing surgery. This study aims to identify the facilitators and barriers to health education from the perspective of healthcare practitioner. Nine semi-structured interviews were conducted among healthcare practitioners. A thematic analysis was conducted from the transcribed interviews. Themes and subthemes emerged around the facilitators, barriers and preferences of health education. Seven themes were identified for facilitators: 1) motivation to participate in intervention, 2) relation context, 3) educational tools, 4) content determination 5) healthcare practitioners 6) patient management 7) patient behaviour. Four themes were discovered for barriers: 1) practical factors, 2) support group, 3) healthcare system, 4) patient. Participants mostly discussed the patient’s motivation and compliance, as these factors contribute significantly to the success of bariatric surgery. In conclusion, bariatric health education requires complex understanding of patient and a proper management. Healthcare practitioners must deliver effective bariatric patient care to optimize the effect of bariatric surgery.