Bariatric surgeons' experiences of working in the first year of the pandemic

BackgroundThe first year of the Covid-19 pandemic saw drastic changes to bariatric surgical practice, including postponement of procedures, altered patient care and impacting on the role of bariatric surgeons. The consequences of this both personally and professionally amongst bariatric surgeons has not as yet been explored. AimsThe aim of this research was to understand bariatric surgeons' perspectives of working during the first year of the pandemic to explore the self-reported personal and professional impact. MethodsUsing a retrospective, two phased, study design with global participants recruited from closed, bariatric surgical units. The first phase used a qualitative thematic analytic framework to identify salient areas of importance to surgeons. Themes informed the construction of an on-line, confidential survey to test the potential generalizability of the interview findings with a larger representative population from the global bariatric surgical community. FindingsFindings of the study revealed that the first year of the pandemic had a detrimental effect on bariatric surgeons both personally and professionally globally. ConclusionThis study has identified the need to build resilience of bariatric surgeons so that the practice of self-care and the encouragement of help-seeking behaviors can potentially be normalized, which will in turn increase levels of mental health and wellbeing.

Bariatric surgeons' experiences of working in the first year of the pandemic

Background: The first year of the Covid-19 pandemic saw drastic changes to bariatric surgical practice, including postponement of procedures, altered patient care and impacting on the role of bariatric surgeons. The consequences of this both personally and professionally amongst bariatric surgeons has not as yet been explored. Aim(s): The aim of this research was to understand bariatric surgeons' perspectives of working during the first year of the pandemic to explore the self-reported personal and professional impact. Method(s): Using a retrospective, two phased, study design with global participants recruited from closed, bariatric surgical units. The first phase used a qualitative thematic analytic framework to identify salient areas of importance to surgeons. Themes informed the construction of an on-line, confidential survey to test the potential generalizability of the interview findings with a larger representative population from the global bariatric surgical community. Finding(s): Findings of the study revealed that the first year of the pandemic had a detrimental effect on bariatric surgeons both personally and professionally globally. Conclusion(s): This study has identified the need to build resilience of bariatric surgeons so that the practice of self-care and the encouragement of help-seeking behaviors can potentially be normalized, which will in turn increase levels of mental health and wellbeing. Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Obesity Science & Practice published by World Obesity and The Obesity Society and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Safety of Bariatric Surgery in the Older Patients during the CoVID-19 Pandemic

Background: The progressive growth of The older patients with obesity represents a challenge to The weight management teams. Although initially, old age was a relative contraindication to The surgical option, current advances in laparoscopic techniques and perioperative optimization protocols have changed The old notion. However, The performance of bariatric procedures in The older patients during The ongoing CoVID-19 pandemic carries a potential risk. This study aimed to assess The safety of bariatric surgery (BS) in older patients during The pandemic. Method(s): We conducted a prospective international study of patients who underwent BS between 1/05/2020 and 31/10/2020. Patients were divided into two groups-older patients >65-year-old (group I) and young < 65-year-old (group II). Two groups were compared for 30-day morbidity and mortality. Result(s): We included 7084 patients, The mean age was 40.35+/-11.9 years, and 5197 (73.4%) were females. The mean preoperative weight and BMI were 119.49+/-24.4 Kgs and 43.03+/-6.9 Kg/m2, respectively. The overall comorbidities were significantly higher in group I, p= <0.001. In group II, 14.8% were current smokers, compared to 7.4% of group I. The complications in group I were significantly higher (11.4%) compared to group II (6.6%), p= 0.022. However, The mortality rate and CoVID-19 infection within 30 days were not significantly different between The two groups. Conclusion(s): Bariatric surgery during The CoVID-19 pandemic in The older patients (>65 years old) is associated with a higher complication rate than The younger age group. However, The mortality and postoperative CoVID-19 infection rates are comparable to The younger age group.

A national survey investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on core and higher breast radiology training in the UK.

AIM: To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on core and higher breast radiology training in the UK from the perspective of trainees and new consultants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey comprising 25 questions was distributed to UK radiology trainees via the regional Junior Radiologists Forum representatives under the auspices of the British Society of Breast Radiology (BSBR). RESULTS: Sixty-nine eligible responses were received representing all UK training regions. Fifty-five per cent of respondents completing either a core or higher breast rotation felt that the pandemic had a negative effect on their breast training. There was an overall reduction in exposure to the key breast imaging methods when rotations took place during the pandemic. Completing a core breast rotation during the pandemic was less likely to attract trainees to higher breast training. Three out of four breast radiology consultants in their first year after receiving their Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) felt the pandemic reduced their preparedness for becoming consultants. Positive outcomes included the increased use of online educational resources and remote multidisciplinary meetings. CONCLUSIONS: As well as having a negative impact on breast radiology training overall, the pandemic has had a detrimental effect on attracting trainees to breast radiology as a future career. It is of key importance that trainees have a positive core breast rotation as this experience appears central to many trainees' decisions to pursue higher breast training. Increased use of online learning resources has also been positively received and is a valuable approach to learning that can be maintained in the longer term.

Emotional Resilience and Bariatric Surgical Teams: A Priorityin the Pandemic

The infection control measures implemented as a result of COVID-19 led to a postponement of bariatric surgical procedures across many countries worldwide. Many bariatric surgical teams were in essence left without a profession, with many redeployed to other areas of clinical care and were not able to provide the levels of patient support given before COVID-19. As the pandemic continues, some restrictions have been lifted, with staff adjusting to new ways of working, incorporating challenging working conditions and dealing with continuing levels of stress. This article explores the concept of emotional labour, defined as 'inducing or suppressing feelings in order to perform one's work', and its application to multidisciplinary teams working within bariatric surgery, to offer insight into the mental health issues that may be affecting healthcare professionals working in this discipline.