Predicting recovery and disability after surgery in patients with severe obesity: The role of the six-minute walk test.

The most appropriate method to predict postoperative outcomes in patients with severe obesity undergoing elective non-bariatric surgery is not known. We conducted a single-centre prospective cohort study in patients with a body mass index of at least 35 kg/m undergoing non-bariatric, non-cardiac surgery. Patients completed the six-minute walk test prior to surgery.

Preoperative assessment and prehabilitation in patients with obesity undergoing non-bariatric surgery: A systematic review.

Study Objective: The optimal methods of preoperative assessment and prehabilitation specific to patients with obesity undergoing non-bariatric surgery have not been described. We investigated two questions: 1) which methods of preoperative assessment in patients with obesity are associated with improved patient management, and 2) which methods of prehabilitation in patients with obesity are associated with improved patient outcomes?

Design: Systematic review.

Setting: Preoperative assessment and optimisation, and postoperative outcomes.

A Clinician-Led, Experience-Based Co-Design Approach for Developing mHealth Services to Support the Patient Self-management of Chronic Conditions: Development Study and Design Case.

Background: Despite the increasing use of mobile health (mHealth) services, such as mHealth apps or SMS text messaging services, that support the patient self-management of chronic conditions, many existing mHealth services lack theoretical guidance. In addition, although often the target audience for requirement acquisition at the initial mHealth app design stage, it is a common challenge for them to fully conceptualize their needs for mHealth services that help self-manage chronic conditions.

Objective: This study proposes a novel co-design approach with the initial requirements for mHealth services proposed by clinicians based on their experiences in guiding patients to self-manage chronic conditions.

Surgical prehabilitation using mobile health coaching in patients with obesity: A pilot study.

Many patients spend months waiting for elective procedures, and many have significant modifiable risk factors that could contribute to an increased risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality. The minimal direct contact that usually occurs with healthcare professionals during this period represents a missed opportunity to improve patient health and surgical outcomes. Patients with obesity comprise a large proportion of the surgical workload but are under-represented in prehabilitation studies.

Preoperative communication between anaesthetists and patients with obesity regarding perioperative risks and weight management: a structured narrative review.

Background: Individuals with obesity frequently present for anaesthesia and surgery. Good communication during the preoperative consultation can optimise the provision of relevant health information and guide improvement of health status preoperatively.

Methods: We planned a systematic literature review to assess existing guidelines and evidence of effectiveness for how anaesthetists should communicate with patients who have obesity in the preoperative period about perioperative risks and weight management.

Impact of body mass index on utilization of selected hospital resources for four common surgical procedures.

Background: Evidence about the impact of obesity on surgical resource consumption in the Australian setting is equivocal. Our objectives were to quantify the prevalence of obesity in four frequently performed surgical procedures and explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and hospital resource utilization including procedural duration, length of stay (LOS) and costs.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing four surgical procedures at a tertiary referral centre in New South Wales, between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2016, was conducted.

Do anaesthetists believe their teaching is evidence-based?

Background: Knowledge translation (KT) and evidence-based practice are widely referenced in clinical medicine, with parallel calls for clinical teaching to better reflect best educational practice. How clinical teachers use medical education theory and evidence is largely unknown.

Aims: To explore anaesthetists' attitudes to clinical teaching and medical education theory and evidence: whether they use it, what sources they access and attitudes to possible barriers to its use.