Background

Despite clear evidence demonstrating routine follow-up after bariatric surgery positively affects outcomes, adherence to recommended follow-up is poor. Non-adherence to follow-up increases a patient's risk of morbidity due to untreated vitamin deficiencies, poor mental health, and reduced weight loss. 

Methods

The purpose of this program evaluation was to assess the impact of telehealth services on post-surgical bariatric follow-up rates and patient experiences with telehealth. Setting and Participants: The project was conducted at a bariatric surgery outpatient clinic, which is part of a large, academic tertiary care health care system in a southeastern metropolitan city. Adults that completed a 6-month post bariatric surgery follow-up during study periods were eligible to participate. Methodology: To compare 6-month follow-up rates and visit type of post-surgical bariatric patients between two study periods, we conducted a retrospective chart review. To evaluate patient telehealth experience, a survey was developed using questions from multiple evidence-based studies. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the survey responses.

Results

Follow-up rates were higher during the study period when telehealth was offered compared to the period when only in-person visits were offered; these rates were 77% and 72.72% (p = .46) respectively. Survey response rate was 40.32%. Ninety-five percent of patients strongly or somewhat agreed they would use telehealth again, and 90% responded the same to being satisfied with telehealth.

Conclusions

After completing the program evaluation, we recommend continuing telehealth as an option for follow-up on post bariatric surgery patients.