Gastric bypass surgery: a survey of primary care physicians

Gastric bypass surgery has become an increasingly recognized treatment option for individuals suffering from morbid obesity. However, no previous empirical studies have examined the beliefs and attitudes of primary care physicians with regard to this type of intervention. Using a cross-sectional survey approach, we queried 99 primary care physicians about their beliefs and attitudes. With the exception of queries about insurance coverage, the response patterns evidenced a clear majority for most items. For several items, there were some interesting inconsistencies, which may suggest physician ambivalence. In the final analysis, 84% of respondents supported the recommendation of gastric bypass surgery for qualifying patients. However, there was a significant gender difference, with female physicians being less supportive than male physicians. We discuss the implications of these results.