Background

Bariatric surgery patients can benefit from participating in bariatric support groups. The 2020 Pandemic brought with it a reticence for public gatherings and attendance plummeted. While a good deal of effort is put into Bariatric after-care support and education, it is of little benefit if patients do not utilize these programs. Barriers to attendance pre- and post-Pandemic include time, proximity and underestimated personal value.ObjectiveTo address barriers related to time and proximity, the MBSAQIP bariatric coordinators of 3 Methodist Hospital System (MHS) hospitals implemented the MHS Bariatric Support Group Collaborative to maximize resources and efforts. We sought to quantify the impact of this collaborative initiative.

Methods

Pre-COVID, we offered one in-person support group meeting per month, at each MHS hospital. During COVID, each MHS hospital hosted one virtual support group meetings each month. The MHS Bariatric Support Group Collaborative launched in January 2023, and implemented a multi-modal initiative. Each hospital hosted their own in-person support group meeting once per month, and the Collaborative shared hosting of two additional, virtual support group options (offered during lunchtime and evening).

Results

In 2023, MHS Hospital #1 saw a 41% increase (n=396) in support group participation, MHS Hospital #2 saw a 783% increase (n=256), and Hospital #3 saw a 184% increase (n=225), compared to 2022 participation rates.

Conclusions

Offering both remote and in-person modalities afforded patients the opportunity of personal contact or the convenience of Come-As-You-Are phoning in. Offering support group options at different times of the day also helped increase participation.