title: Perception and Awareness of Bariatric Surgery in Canada: a National Survey of General Surgeons.
abstract: The objective of this study was to assess Canadian general surgeons' knowledge of bariatric surgery and perceived availability of resources to manage bariatric surgery patients.
  
  
  
  A self-administered questionnaire was developed using a focus group of general surgeons. The questionnaire was distributed at two large general surgery conferences in September and November 2012. The survey was also disseminated via membership association electronic newsletters in November and December 2012.
  
  
  
  One hundred sixty-seven questionnaires were completed (104 practicing surgeons, 63 general surgery trainees). Twenty respondents were bariatric surgeons. Among 84 non-bariatric surgeons, 68.3 % referred a patient in the last year for bariatric surgery, 79 % agreed that bariatric surgery resulted in sustained weight loss, and 81.7 % would consider referring a family member. Knowledge gaps were identified in estimates of mortality and morbidity associated with bariatric procedures. The majority of surgeons surveyed have encountered patients with complications from bariatric surgery in the last year. Over 50 % of surgeons who do not perform bariatric procedures reported not feeling confident to manage complications, 35.4 % reported having adequate resources and equipment to manage morbidly obese patients, and few are able to transfer patients to a bariatric center. Of the respondents, 73.3 % reported residency training provided inadequate exposure to bariatric surgery, and 85.3 % felt that additional continuing medical education resources would be useful.
  
  
  
  There appears to be support for bariatric surgery among Canadian general surgeons participating in this survey. Knowledge gaps identified indicate the need for more education and resources to support general surgeons managing bariatric surgical patients.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada.
authors.forename: Dhruvin H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Hirpara
authors.affiliation: Division of General Surgery, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, 399 Bathurst Street Room 8MP-322, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2S8, Canada.
authors.forename: Michelle C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Cleghorn
authors.affiliation: Division of General Surgery, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, 399 Bathurst Street Room 8MP-322, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2S8, Canada.
authors.forename: Josephine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kwong
authors.affiliation: Division of General Surgery, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, 399 Bathurst Street Room 8MP-322, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2S8, Canada.
authors.forename: Fady
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Saleh
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University Health Network, 200 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2C4, Canada.
authors.forename: Sanjeev
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sockalingam
authors.affiliation: Division of General Surgery, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, 399 Bathurst Street Room 8MP-322, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2S8, Canada.
authors.forename: Fayez A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Quereshy
authors.affiliation: Division of General Surgery, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, 399 Bathurst Street Room 8MP-322, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2S8, Canada.
authors.forename: Allan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Okrainec
authors.affiliation: Division of General Surgery, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, 399 Bathurst Street Room 8MP-322, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2S8, Canada. Timothy.Jackson@uhn.ca.
authors.forename: Timothy D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Jackson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D066231:Surgeons; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Bariatric surgery; General surgery; Surgeon perspective; Survey response