title: Current issues and challenges in the management of bariatric patients.
abstract: Morbid obesity is an increasingly common healthcare problem, and providers and patients currently face numerous challenges in dealing with this problem effectively. Issues addressed in this article include the effect of stigma, the need for more evidence regarding effective management options, and the declining insurance coverage for bariatric surgery. The role of bariatric surgery in effective management of morbid obesity is discussed, along with the effect on and possible reasons for declining coverage. A comparison between benefits and coverage for bariatric surgery and angioplasty/stent placement is included.
authors.affiliation: Minnesota State University, Mankato, mn 56001, USA. sue.bell@mnsu.edu
authors.forename: Sue Ellen
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Bell
mesh_terms: D017130:Angioplasty; D001294:Attitude to Health; D052938:Bariatric Medicine / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D049088:Bariatrics / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D001828:Body Image; D002423:Cause of Death; D017281:Cost of Illness; D019468:Disease Management; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D009341:Negativism; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D018579:Patient Selection; D011287:Prejudice; D015995:Prevalence; D011634:Public Health; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms / Q000458:organization & administration; D012945:Social Values; D015607:Stents; D013240:Stereotyping; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology