"Assessment of Knowledge and Perceptions of Bariatric Surgery and Its Complications Among Physicians Across Medical Specialties: A Questionnaire-Based Study from Palestine ".

BACKGROUND

With rising global obesity rates and an increasing number of bariatric procedures, physician awareness and understanding of bariatric surgery are critical for optimizing patient care and ensuring timely referrals. In Palestine, however, this topic remains underexplored, underscoring the need for context-specific data.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to assess knowledge and perception gaps regarding Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (MBS) and its complications among Palestinian healthcare professionals-including specialists and residents-across both public and private sectors. To our knowledge, this is one of the first Palestinian studies to investigate physician perspectives on bariatric surgery across multiple medical specialties.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among physicians from seven major hospitals in Palestine, targeting specialists in surgery, internal medicine, orthopedics, gynecology, and other fields. A structured questionnaire, informed by the existing literature, was developed to evaluate knowledge and perceptions related to bariatric surgery indications, referral criteria, and complications.

RESULTS

A total of 192 completed surveys were analyzed. While 82.3% of physicians reported being aware of the referral criteria for MBS, only 23.4% and 20.8% correctly identified the BMI thresholds for patients with and without comorbidities, respectively. Notably, 63.5% stated they would refer patients for MBS even without prior failure of conservative management. Common barriers to referral included lack of sufficient knowledge (42.3%), patient safety concerns (32.7%), and failure to meet surgical criteria (51.9%). Financial limitations (50.3%) and fear of complications (71.2%) were also significant concerns. Encouragingly, 77.1% of respondents expressed interest in receiving further education on bariatric surgery.

CONCLUSION

As the prevalence of MBS continues to grow, it is imperative that physicians possess accurate knowledge of its indications, outcomes, and potential complications. Misconceptions or gaps in knowledge may lead to underutilization or inappropriate referrals. Educational interventions targeting multidisciplinary healthcare providers could enhance decision-making, improve referral patterns, and ultimately support better patient outcomes.