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Analyzing the Impact of Language Congruent Care on Bariatric Surgery Follow-up Rates
Suhas Suddala, Avery Pullman, Darya Herscovici, Richard Perugini
UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA
Background: Bariatric surgery (BS) effectively treats obesity but requires comprehensive communication for successful outcomes. Language barriers can decrease quality of care and exacerbate health disparities. We studied follow-up compliance following BS among English proficient patients (EP) and patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) after initiation of a program to provide language congruent (LC) care.
Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy (SG) before and after implementation of LC care. EP or LEP was identified via the medical records and LC materials included perioperative care, diet, and exercise instructions. Data comparison used unpaired T-test (p<0.05).
Results: 136 patients were included, of which 100 were EP patients (50 pre-LC care, 50 post-LC care) and 36 were LEP patients (23 pre-LC care, 13 post-LC care). While LEP patients demonstrated similar follow up rates (100% in both groups) at 6 weeks, there was an increase in 6-month follow-up visit compliance (100% vs 70%, p = <0.01) after the implementation of the LC program. In contrast, EP patients did not differ in follow up compliance rates before and after LC care (98% vs 94% for six weeks, p = 0.31 and 82% vs. 84% for 6 months, p = 0.79).
Conclusion: Results suggest that LC care may improve post-operative follow up rates following BS in LEP. Increased follow-up rates should provide improved outcomes and limit complications in patients following BS. Further investigation will analyze the LC care impact on complication rates, long term WL, and remission of comorbidities in these patient populations.
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