Psychological Benefits of a Preoperative Educational Bridging Program for Bariatric Surgery: Does Face-to-Face versus Videoconference-based delivery make a difference?

Introduction: Short educational programs prior to metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) provide information to prepare patients adequately for surgery and subsequent changes. Our knowledge of the beneficial effects of these programs on stabilizing and improving mental health of patients with obesity awaiting surgery is incomplete. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of a group-based educational program before MBS on three key factors: i) patients' mental health, ii) the program's perceived helpfulness from the patients' perspective, and iii) the effectiveness of delivering the program online via videoconferencing.

Methods: Validated questionnaires for anxiety, depression, stress, and quality of life before and after the program were assessed. Additionally, participants' perspectives of benefits were assessed. Two subgroups, one participating in face-to-face classes, the other participating online via videoconferencing, were compared.

Results: Three hundred five patients with obesity waiting for MBS participated in the program. The dropout rate was 3%. On mean average, symptoms of anxiety (-1.1 units (SD 4.6), p < 0.001), depression (-0.9 units (SD 4.6), p < 0.001), and stress (-4.6 units (SD 15.6), p < 0.001) improved, while physical quality of life (+1.7 (SD 9.7), p = 0.016) and body weight (-0.3 kg (SD 8.7), p = 0.57) remained stable. Patients perceived the program as very beneficial. The results were similar between delivery methods (face-to-face versus videoconferencing).

Conclusion: The educational program proved to be effective in bridging the gap in preoperative preparation while also stabilizing participants' mental health. In addition, participants perceived the program as supportive. Online participation via video conferencing can be offered as an equivalent option to face-to-face classes.