The Readiness to Change for Bariatric Surgery Assessment Tool: Validity, Factor Structure, and Reliability

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Behavioral Science
• Obesity Research

Background:

• No standardized psychiatric evaluation exists for bariatric surgery approval.
• The NIH Obesity Research Strategic Plan emphasizes tools for assessing patient readiness for lifestyle changes.
• The Readiness to Change for Bariatric Surgery Assessment Tool (RCB-SAT) was developed to address this gap.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a clinical decision-making tool for assessing bariatric surgery patients' readiness to change.
• To provide an objective measure for psychiatric evaluators assessing patient cognition, beliefs, and motivation regarding diet and lifestyle modifications.

Main Methods:

• A pilot tool was administered to 153 bariatric surgery candidates.
• 61 patients completed the survey a second time for test-retest reliability.
• Face and content validity were established through expert review.

Main Results:

• Factor analysis identified 15 items across 3 factors aligned with the transtheoretical model of behavior change (precontemplation, contemplation, action).
• The tool demonstrated test-retest reliability.

Conclusions:

• The RCB-SAT shows promise as a tool for assessing patient readiness for bariatric diet and lifestyle changes.
• This tool can aid in standardizing psychiatric evaluations for bariatric surgery.