Background

A psychosocial assessment is a typical part of the multidisciplinary preoperative evaluation process for bariatric surgery. The current study explored the time necessary to obtain these assessments and several potential moderators of such.

Methods

157 surgery-seeking patients (BMI M = 46.56 (± 7.81); 79.0% female) were referred for pre-surgical psychological evaluations. Regression analyses were conducted using demographics to predict 1) whether referrals presented for assessment and 2) time between referral and completion for the group completing assessments. Additionally, the second regression was repeated using self-reported sleep, binge eating, and night eating symptoms as moderators.

Results

Patients’ demographics were neither significantly associated with completion of psychological evaluation nor time to completion for the group undergoing evaluation. Similarly, moderation analyses were not significant and there were no significant differences in patient demographics between those completing vs. not completing assessment (including age, gender, ethnicity, and BMI).

Conclusions

Completion of the pre-surgical psychological evaluation was not associated with patient variables. This suggests that organizational behavior in arranging assessments may have a greater impact on wait times and follow-through in a multidisciplinary care context than patient characteristics. Potential considerations for systematic improvement will be discussed, including policies that integrate medical, nutritional, and psychological requirements in a standardized fashion with attention to patient ergonomics and organizational efficiency. The potential for brief, inexpensive changes to system design will also be highlighted, particularly with respect to opportunities to enhance engagement, follow-through, and long-term adherence to treatment plans.