CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Friday, June 14th, 2013 - 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
ALLIED HEALTH AND NUTRITION
Co-Chairs: Ms. Tammy Eborall, Mr. Adam Bryant
British Columbia Room

2:45 pm
Is compliance to a behavioral program mandatory before bariatric surgery?

Various bariatric assessment programs have been developed across the province over the past several years. Many of these programs include a series of suggested behaviour modifications prior to referral for surgery. However, current research shows mixed results on the efficacy of behavioural programs in modifying behaviours long-term and leading to clinically significant weight loss post-operatively. This program will look at research-based suggestions for behavioural programs pre- and post-operatively and what these programs entail for the patient and practitioner.

Learning objectives:

• To identify current practices of behavioural modification before/after surgery at a sample of Canadian Hospitals
  
• To understand what is meant by behavioural modification and provide examples including CBT and Motivational Interviewing.
  
• To summarize the current research on the effectiveness of behavioural modification as it relates to bariatric surgery
  
• To discuss how the research can be applied to practice and identify areas for future research

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Rebecca Kirsh, MSW, RSW Social Worker Rebecca has been working as a social worker at Toronto Western Hospital since 2008. She has worked in General Internal Medicine, Rheumatology, the Falls Prevention Program, and currently in the Bariatric Surgery Program. In this position, Rebecca supports patients through the bariatric surgery process by seeing them for both assessment and follow-up. Prior to completing her Masters, Rebecca worked at the Woman Abuse Council of Toronto and interned at the National Women’s Health Network in Washington, D.C.  Rebecca holds a Masters of Social Work from the University of Toronto.

Michelle M. Gallagher, M.S.W., R.S.W. Clinical Social Worker | Regional Bariatric Assessment & Treatment Centre | Windsor Regional Hospital Michelle Gallagher graduated from the University of Windsor in 2012 with her Masters in Social Work. She also holds an Honours degree in Psychology. Michelle works as a clinical social worker for the Windsor Regional Bariatric Assessment and Treatment Centre as part of a multidisciplinary team. Her roles includes completing pre-operative assessments and providing post-operative support. She has also been active in the development of new Medical Weight Management programs offered by Windsor Regional Hospital. Outside of work she volunteers with a variety of community organizations such as Scouts Canada and Rotary International. She also enjoys participating in half-marathons across North America.