Primary Care Physicians' Knowledge and Perceptions of Bariatric Surgery: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Objective The purpose of this study is to assess the awareness of primary care doctors in China about obesity and bariatric surgery. Methods Between September and December 2024, an anonymous electronic questionnaire was distributed to doctors in primary care hospitals. The questionnaire included four sections: basic information, knowledge about obesity, understanding of weight loss surgery, and factors affecting the implementation of bariatric surgery, comprising a total of 34 questions. After the surveys were collected, data were compiled and analyzed according to participants' gender, age, education, title, hospital, and department. Results Among the respondents, 50.3% were male and 49.7% were female, with the majority being aged 31-40 years, and most holding a bachelor's degree. About 79.4% of respondents had not received training in bariatric surgery, and 85.2% had not participated in postoperative follow-up. About 54.8% of hospitals did not offer bariatric surgery, and 71.6% did not provide related educational activities. Most respondents believed obesity is a chronic disease related to diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, and recognized that obesity is associated with economic status and family social standing. Regarding bariatric surgery, 25.2% of respondents considered it the best treatment option, 40.7% recommended that family members consider the surgery, and 43.2% believed long-term management is necessary after the surgery. Conclusion Primary care doctors in community hospitals have inadequate awareness of obesity and bariatric surgery, and most community hospitals do not prioritize obesity enough.