The multi-disciplinary approach to adolescent bariatric surgery

Area of Science:

• Adolescent Medicine
• Surgical Program Management

Background:

• Adolescent obesity is a growing public health concern requiring specialized interventions.
• Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment option for severe adolescent obesity.
• Successful outcomes in adolescent bariatric surgery depend on comprehensive care models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To delineate the essential components of a multi-disciplinary team for adolescent bariatric surgery programs.
• To describe the specific roles and functions of each team member.
• To emphasize the collaborative decision-making process in patient selection and care.

Main Methods:

• Review of essential team member roles in adolescent bariatric surgery.
• Description of the collaborative process during team rounds for patient management.
• Highlighting the functional importance of team members over titles.

Main Results:

• Essential team members include pediatricians, bariatric surgeons, psychologists, nutritionists, exercise physiologists/physical therapists, nursing support, and patient coordinators.
• The pediatric bariatrician leads the team in candidate selection and treatment planning.
• Team rounds facilitate comprehensive patient evaluation and shared decision-making.

Conclusions:

• A cohesive multi-disciplinary team is critical for the success of adolescent bariatric surgery programs.
• The collaborative approach ensures holistic patient care and optimized surgical outcomes.
• Functional roles and effective communication within the team are paramount.