ASMBS statementAmerican Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery position statement on global bariatric healthcare
Section snippets
Preamble
The following position statement is issued by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) in response to numerous inquires made to the Society by patients, physicians, society members, hospitals, and others regarding global travel and medical tourism for bariatric surgery procedures. In this statement, the available data are summarized regarding this issue from current knowledge, expert opinion, and published peer-reviewed scientific evidence available at this time. The
The issue
In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in the number of patients who travel long distances across state or international borders for medical care [1]. This practice, often referred to as medical tourism, has spurred an industry that facilitates travel for a wide spectrum of medical and surgical procedures. This new industry has been created to advise patients on the appropriate facility in the right region or country for their condition, handle all travel arrangements, teleconference
The data
Currently, few published data have specifically addressed global travel for bariatric surgery. The number of patients undergoing bariatric surgery abroad or across international boundaries is unknown, and there is a need for more empiric research on the role, process, and outcomes of medical tourism [10]. The issues raised by the American Medical Association and the American College of Surgeons position statements do address the general issues that should be considered with regard to medical
Summary and recommendations
From the limited available data, guidelines published by other medical societies, expert opinion, and a primary concern for patient safety, the ASMBS supports the following statements and guidelines regarding bariatric surgical procedures and global bariatric healthcare:
- 1
Because of the unique characteristics of the bariatric patient, the potential for major early and late complications after bariatric procedures, the specific follow-up requirements for different bariatric procedures, and the
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Correspondence: Stacy Brethauer, MD, Clinical Issues Committee, Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, M61, Cleveland, OH 44195.
E-mail: [email protected]