Efficacy of video-based education program in improving metabolic surgery perception among patients with obesity and diabetes.

Background: Metabolic surgery remains underutilized despite its efficacy and safety. Poor perception of surgery has been cited as one of the major reasons.

Objectives: Evaluate current patient perceptions about metabolic surgery and measure the impact a video-based education program has on changing the perceptions of patients diagnosed with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Setting: A university hospital in the United States.

Methods: A prospective interventional study was performed at an endocrinology clinic. Patients were asked to complete surveys evaluating their perception of metabolic surgery before and after watching a short educational video.

Results: A total of 51 patients were recruited; almost all patients (98%) attempted weight loss in the past, and approximately 90.1% voiced dissatisfaction with their current weight. The video-based education program was effective in improving the patient's perception of the efficacy and safety with regard to surgery. In addition, the proportion of patients with overall positive impression toward metabolic surgery increased from 22.5% to 53.1% (P < .01) and those willing to undergo surgical consultation increased from 41.7% to 51.0% (P < .01). Among those that remained unwilling, fear of surgery in general was the most commonly voiced reason (31.4%), with safety (27.5%) and cost of metabolic surgery (27.5%) being equally concerning.

Conclusions: Most patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes held negative impressions of metabolic surgery due to its perceived risk profile. A video-based educational intervention may improve patients' perception and increase their willingness for surgical referral. Future trials with a broader sample and longer follow-up could provide answers to its efficacy in increasing metabolic surgery accessibility.