The development, implementation and early learnings of a training program to advance interest in behavioral research careers among undergraduate BIPOC students majoring in psychology.

OBJECTIVES: Black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) remain underrepresented in research occupations. This report discusses a collaboration to train undergraduate BIPOC students in clinical research between a public health institute, two medical schools, and a historically Black College or University (HBCU). This nine-month program trained BIPOC undergraduates in research methodology, psychology, and addiction science, and immersed trainees in real-world research. The program included didactic seminars, experiential activities, and a mentored research project culminating in a poster and oral presentation. METHODS: Key learnings, program satisfaction survey results, and preliminary outcomes from the first three program cohorts (N = 6 students) are presented. This program addressed several barriers hypothesized to contribute to the limited number of BIPOC students pursuing research careers, including mentorship from BIPOC faculty and financial concerns. RESULTS: Students reported moderate to high satisfaction with the program and endorsed gaining new research skills. Limitations and future directions are discussed. CONCLUSION: The expansion of the BIPOC health and research workforce is an urgent priority given the importance of BIPOC professionals to the health of our nation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04650386.

Electronic Health Record-Based Recruitment and Retention and Mobile Health App Usage: Multisite Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: To address the obesity epidemic, there is a need for novel paradigms, including those that address the timing of eating and sleep in relation to circadian rhythms. Electronic health records (EHRs) are an efficient way to identify potentially eligible participants for health research studies. Mobile health (mHealth) apps offer available and convenient data collection of health behaviors, such as timing of eating and sleep. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this descriptive analysis was to report on recruitment, retention, and app use from a 6-month cohort study using a mobile app called Daily24. METHODS: Using an EHR query, adult patients from three health care systems in the PaTH clinical research network were identified as potentially eligible, invited electronically to participate, and instructed to download and use the Daily24 mobile app, which focuses on eating and sleep timing. Online surveys were completed at baseline and 4 months. We described app use and identified predictors of app use, defined as 1 or more days of use, versus nonuse and usage categories (ie, immediate, consistent, and sustained) using multivariate regression analyses. RESULTS: Of 70,661 patients who were sent research invitations, 1021 (1.44%) completed electronic consent forms and online baseline surveys; 4 withdrew, leaving a total of 1017 participants in the analytic sample. A total of 53.79% (n=547) of the participants were app users and, of those, 75.3% (n=412), 50.1% (n=274), and 25.4% (n=139) were immediate, consistent, and sustained users, respectively. Median app use was 28 (IQR 7-75) days over 6 months. Younger age, White race, higher educational level, higher income, having no children younger than 18 years, and having used 1 to 5 health apps significantly predicted app use (vs nonuse) in adjusted models. Older age and lower BMI predicted early, consistent, and sustained use. About half (532/1017, 52.31%) of the participants completed the 4-month online surveys. A total of 33.5% (183/547), 29.3% (157/536), and 27.1% (143/527) of app users were still using the app for at least 2 days per month during months 4, 5, and 6 of the study, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: EHR recruitment offers an efficient (ie, high reach, low touch, and minimal participant burden) approach to recruiting participants from health care settings into mHealth research. Efforts to recruit and retain less engaged subgroups are needed to collect more generalizable data. Additionally, future app iterations should include more evidence-based features to increase participant use.

Patient Recruitment Into a Multicenter Clinical Cohort Linking Electronic Health Records From 5 Health Systems: Cross-sectional Analysis.

BACKGROUND: There is growing interest in identifying and recruiting research participants from health systems using electronic health records (EHRs). However, few studies have described the practical aspects of the recruitment process or compared electronic recruitment methods to in-person recruitment, particularly across health systems. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe the steps and efficiency of the recruitment process and participant characteristics by recruitment strategy. METHODS: EHR-based eligibility criteria included being an adult patient engaged in outpatient primary or bariatric surgery care at one of 5 health systems in the PaTH Clinical Research Network and having ≥2 weight measurements and 1 height measurement recorded in their EHR within the last 5 years. Recruitment strategies varied by site and included one or more of the following methods: (1) in-person recruitment by study staff from clinical sites, (2) US postal mail recruitment letters, (3) secure email, and (4) direct EHR recruitment through secure patient web portals. We used descriptive statistics to evaluate participant characteristics and proportion of patients recruited (ie, efficiency) by modality. RESULTS: The total number of eligible patients from the 5 health systems was 5,051,187. Of these, 40,048 (0.8%) were invited to enter an EHR-based cohort study and 1085 were enrolled. Recruitment efficiency was highest for in-person recruitment (33.5%), followed by electronic messaging (2.9%), including email (2.9%) and EHR patient portal messages (2.9%). Overall, 779 (65.7%) patients were enrolled through electronic messaging, which also showed greater rates of recruitment of Black patients compared with the other strategies. CONCLUSIONS: We recruited a total of 1085 patients from primary care and bariatric surgery settings using 4 recruitment strategies. The recruitment efficiency was 2.9% for email and EHR patient portals, with the majority of participants recruited electronically. This study can inform the design of future research studies using EHR-based recruitment.

A mental health professional survey of cognitive-behavioral therapy for the treatment of opioid use disorder.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this survey was to obtain mental health professional perspectives on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment. METHODS: Respondents (N = 84) rated components of CBT for their efficacy in OUD treatment. Ratings were reported for the overall sample, by degree completed, and by clinicians versus nonclinicians. Respondents also ranked additional therapeutic strategies that might enhance the efficacy of CBT for OUD. RESULTS: Respondents rated treatment alliance/rapport, coping skills, and motivational interviewing as the most effective CBT components for OUD. Forms and worksheets were rated as the least effective component. The most beneficial additions to CBT for OUD would be mindfulness, peer support, and medication adherence strategies. Finally, the survey responses suggested that addressing co-morbid mental health disorders and life stressors may be important within CBT treatment for OUD.

Understanding Primary Care Patients' Self-weighing Habits: Cohort Analysis from the PaTH Clinical Data Research Network.

BACKGROUND: Greater than 60% of adults have overweight or obesity. Self-weighing is an effective weight loss and weight maintenance tool. However, little is known about self-weighing habits among the primary care patient population. Our objective was to examine the frequency of patient-reported self-weighing, and to evaluate the associations of self-weighing with demographic characteristics and self-monitoring behaviors. METHODS: We conducted an analysis of survey data collected as part of the PaTH Clinical Data Research Network, which recruited a cohort of 1,021 primary care patients at 4 academic medical centers. Patients of all body mass index (BMI) categories were included. RESULTS: Response rate of 6-month survey was 727 (71%). The mean age was 56 years, and most were female (68%), White (78%), college graduates (66%), and employed/retired (85%). The mean BMI was 30.2 kg/m2, 80% of participants had a BMI â‰§ 25 kg/m2. Of patients with BMI â‰§ 25 kg/m2, 35% of participants self-weighed weekly and 23% daily. Participants who reported self-weighing at least weekly were more likely to be older (59 vs 54 years, p < 0.01), married (p = 0.01), college graduates (p = 0.03), White (p < 0.01), and employed vs disabled/unemployed (p < 0.01). Patients who self-weighed daily had a lower BMI (29 kg/m2 vs 31 kg/m2, p = 0.04). Patients who tracked exercise or food intake were more likely to self-weigh daily (p < 0.01), as were patients wanting to lose or maintain weight (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Despite its potential for primary and secondary obesity prevention, only 35% of primary care patients with overweight or obesity engage in self-weighing weekly and less than a quarter (23%) self-weigh daily. Socioeconomic status appears to be a factor influencing regular self-weighing in this population, potentially contributing to greater health disparities in obesity rates. Patients who self-weighed daily had a lower BMI, suggesting that it may play a role in primary prevention of obesity. More work is needed to explore self-weighing among patients.

Changes in quantity, spending, and nutritional characteristics of adult, adolescent and child urban corner store purchases after an environmental intervention.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess one-year changes in corner store purchases (nutritional characteristics, amount spent) of children, adolescents, and adults in a low-income urban environment before and after implementing an environmental intervention to increase the availability of healthier products. METHODS: Corner store owners were provided tools (trainings, signage, refrigeration) to increase the promotion and availability of several healthy foods. Based on the degree of support provided, stores were classified as "basic" or "high-intensity" intervention stores. Data on purchases and their nutrient content were gathered (n = 8671 at baseline, n = 5949 at follow-up) through customer purchase assessment interviews and direct observation outside of 192 corner stores in Philadelphia from March 2011 to August 2012. RESULTS: At baseline, shoppers spent $2.81 ± 3.52 for 643 ± 1065 kcal. Energy, select nutrients, and the total amount spent did not significantly change in the overall sample from baseline to follow-up. Similarly, there was no effect on energy and nutrient content when comparing changes over time between basic and high-intensity stores. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant changes in the energy or nutrient content of corner store purchases one year after implementation of environmental changes to increase the availability of healthier products.

Corner store purchases made by adults, adolescents and children: items, nutritional characteristics and amount spent.

OBJECTIVE: Corner stores, also known as bodegas, are prevalent in low-income urban areas and primarily stock high-energy foods and beverages. Little is known about individual-level purchases in these locations. The purpose of the present study was to assess corner store purchases (items, nutritional characteristics and amount spent) made by children, adolescents and adults in a low-income urban environment. DESIGN: Evaluation staff used 9238 intercept surveys to directly examine food and beverage purchases. SETTING: Intercepts were collected at 192 corner stores in Philadelphia, PA, USA. SUBJECTS: Participants were adult, adolescent and child corner store shoppers. RESULTS: Among the 9238 intercept surveys, there were 20 244 items. On average, at each corner store visit, consumers purchased 2.2 (sd 2.1) items (1.3 (sd 2.0) foods and 0.9 (sd 0.9) beverages) that cost $US 2.74 (sd $US 3.52) and contained 2786.5 (sd 4454.2) kJ (666.0 (sd 1064.6) kcal). Whether the data were examined as a percentage of total items purchased or as a percentage of intercepts, the most common corner store purchases were beverages, chips, prepared food items, pastries and candy. Beverage purchases occurred during 65.9% of intercepts and accounted for 39.2% of all items. Regular soda was the most popular beverage purchase. Corner store purchases averaged 66.2 g of sugar, 921.1 mg of sodium and 2.5 g of fibre per intercept. Compared with children and adolescents, adults spent the most money and purchased the most energy. CONCLUSIONS: Urban corner store shoppers spent almost $US 3.00 for over 2700 kJ (650 kcal) per store visit. Obesity prevention efforts may benefit from including interventions aimed at changing corner store food environments in low-income, urban areas.

Exploration of "food addiction" in overweight and obese treatment-seeking adults.

There is growing interest in conceptualizing obesity as a "food addiction." The current study investigated the prevalence and correlates of "food addiction" (FA), as defined by the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) in 178 (133 F, 45M) persons seeking weight loss treatment. Participants had a mean age of 51.2±11.7years and a body mass index of 36.1±4.8kg/m(2). Fifteen percent of individuals met the YFAS proposed diagnostic criteria for FA. Those who met criteria for FA reported significantly greater depressive symptomatology. There were no differences in BMI, age, race, or gender between participants with and without FA. Among those not meeting criteria, 35% reported 3 or more symptoms in the absence of self-reported clinical distress or impairment. YFAS symptom count was also significantly correlated with depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that 15% of adults presenting for weight loss treatment meet YFAS criteria for FA. The clinical significance of this classification is unknown and needs to be validated in prospective studies.

Prevalence and predictors of suicidality among adults initiating office-based buprenorphine.

BACKGROUND: Individuals who have substance use disorders may have an elevated risk of suicidality. This study sought to examine the prevalence of, and identify factors associated with, suicidality in adults with opioid use disorder (OUD) initiating office-based buprenorphine treatment. METHODS: Individuals were eligible to participate if they had OUD and had initiated treatment in the past month. Participants (n = 244) completed a semi-structured interview using the Addiction Severity Index-Lite. RESULTS: At baseline, 37.70% of participants reported significant thoughts of suicide over their lifetime and 27.46% reported suicidal attempts over their lifetime. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors of lifetime suicidal thoughts and attempts. A history of physical abuse (OR = 4.31, p < .001), having chronic pain-related conditions (OR = 3.28, p < .001), a history of depression (OR = 3.30, p = .001) or anxiety (OR = 7.47, p = .001), and Latino/a/x ethnicity (OR = 2.66, p = .01) were associated with an increased risk of lifetime suicidal thoughts. A history of sexual abuse (OR = 2.89, p = .01), Latino/a/x ethnicity (OR = 4.01, p < .001), a history of depression (OR = 4.03, p = .001) or anxiety (OR = 15.65, p = .007) and having a chronic pain-related condition (OR = 2.43, p = .01), were associated with an increased risk of lifetime suicide attempts. CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrate the high prevalence of suicidal thoughts and attempts among patients initiating buprenorphine. Findings may help to better identify at-risk patients and to inform screening, prevention, and mental health treatment efforts. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04650386 (registered 12 December 2020, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04650386 ) and NCT04257214 (registered 5 February 2020, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04257214 ).

Nonopioid Substance Use among Patients Who Recently Initiated Office-based Buprenorphine Treatment.

OBJECTIVES: Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUDs) like buprenorphine are a first-line treatment for individuals who have opioid use disorder (OUD); however, these medications are not designed to impact the use of other classes of drugs. This descriptive study provides up-to-date information about nonopioid substance use among patients who recently initiated office-based buprenorphine treatment for OUD using data from 2 ongoing clinical trials. METHODS: The study sample was composed of 257 patients from 6 federally qualified health centers in the mid-Atlantic region who recently (i.e., within the past 28 days) initiated office-based buprenorphine treatment between July 2020 and May 2022. After the screening and informed consent processes, participants completed a urine drug screen and psychosocial interview as a part of the study baseline assessment. Descriptive analyses were performed on urine drug screen results to identify the prevalence and types of substances detected. RESULTS: More than half of participants provided urine specimens that were positive for nonopioid substances, with marijuana (37%, n = 95), cocaine (22%, n = 56), and benzodiazepines (11%, n = 28) detected with the highest frequencies. CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of participants used nonopioid substances after initiating buprenorphine treatment, suggesting that some patients receiving MOUDs could potentially benefit from adjunctive psychosocial treatment and supports to address their nonopioid substance use.

Associations between sleep health and obesity and weight change in adults: The Daily24 Multisite Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of individual sleep domains and multidimensional sleep health with current overweight or obesity and 5-year weight change in adults. METHODS: We estimated sleep regularity, quality, timing, onset latency, sleep interruptions, duration, and napping using validated questionnaires. We calculated multidimensional sleep health using a composite score (total number of "good" sleep health indicators) and sleep phenotypes derived from latent class analysis. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between sleep and overweight or obesity. Multinomial regression was used to examine associations between sleep and weight change (gain, loss, or maintenance) over a median of 1.66 years. RESULTS: The sample included 1016 participants with a median age of 52 (IQR = 37-65), who primarily identified as female (78%), White (79%), and college-educated (74%). We identified 3 phenotypes: good, moderate, and poor sleep. More regularity of sleep, sleep quality, and shorter sleep onset latency were associated with 37%, 38%, and 45% lower odds of overweight or obesity, respectively. The addition of each good sleep health dimension was associated with 16% lower adjusted odds of having overweight or obesity. The adjusted odds of overweight or obesity were similar between sleep phenotypes. Sleep, individual or multidimensional sleep health, was not associated with weight change. CONCLUSIONS: Multidimensional sleep health showed cross-sectional, but not longitudinal, associations with overweight or obesity. Future research should advance our understanding of how to assess multidimensional sleep health to understand the relationship between all aspects of sleep health and weight over time.

Association of Eating and Sleeping Intervals With Weight Change Over Time: The Daily24 Cohort.

Background We aim to evaluate the association between meal intervals and weight trajectory among adults from a clinical cohort. Methods and Results This is a multisite prospective cohort study of adults recruited from 3 health systems. Over the 6-month study period, 547 participants downloaded and used a mobile application to record the timing of meals and sleep for at least 1 day. We obtained information on weight and comorbidities at each outpatient visit from electronic health records for up to 10 years before until 10 months after baseline. We used mixed linear regression to model weight trajectories. Mean age was 51.1 (SD 15.0) years, and body mass index was 30.8 (SD 7.8) kg/m2; 77.9% were women, and 77.5% reported White race. Mean interval from first to last meal was 11.5 (2.3) hours and was not associated with weight change. The number of meals per day was positively associated with weight change. The average difference in annual weight change (95% CI) associated with an increase of 1 daily meal was 0.28 kg (0.02-0.53). Conclusions Number of daily meals was positively associated with weight change over 6 years. Our findings did not support the use of time-restricted eating as a strategy for long-term weight loss in a general medical population.

David S. Festinger (1962-2021).

Memorializes David S. Festinger (1962-2021). He was best known for the impacts of his research contributions in the area of substance abuse treatment-particularly around issues of law and ethics. His interest in researching and promoting ethical principles for research participants was strongly influenced by the experiences of his parents, who were both Holocaust survivors. He served as principal or co-investigator on over 20 National Institutes of Health-funded grants and numerous contracts and grants from other funding agencies. Most of Dr. Festinger's career was spent with the Treatment Research Institute in Philadelphia. His final affiliation was with the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he conducted research, taught students, and provided clinical supervision to trainees and early career practitioners. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Weight stability in adults with obesity initiating medical marijuana treatment for other medical conditions.

Few studies have evaluated weight change in patients who initiate medical marijuana treatment to address diagnosed health concerns. The objective of this study was to examine whether patients initiating medical marijuana use for a qualifying health condition experienced changes in health and biopsychosocial functioning over time, including weight gain or loss. Specifically, this observational, longitudinal study evaluated changes in the body mass index (BMI) of adults with co-morbid obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m2) and severe obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2) who were starting medical marijuana treatment for any of the 23 qualifying medical conditions at one of three dispensaries in Pennsylvania. Height and weight measurements were collected at baseline (prior to medical marijuana use) and then 90 days (± 14 days) later. Participants included in analyses (n = 52, M = 55.0 ± 13.6 years, 59.6% female) had a mean baseline BMI of 36.2 ± 5.4 kg/m2 and the majority sought medical marijuana for chronic pain (73.1%). No significant change in BMI was observed from baseline to month three (p > 0.05) in the sample. Additionally, no significant change in BMI was observed in the subset of patients with severe obesity (n = 12, p > 0.05). Our findings are limited by low follow-up rates and convenience sampling methodology but may help to mitigate weight gain concerns in the context of medical marijuana use.

Clinical Characteristics and Quality of Life in Adults Initiating Medical Marijuana Treatment.

Introduction: Despite the rising availability and use of medical marijuana (MM) in the USA, little is known about the demographics, clinical characteristics, or quality of life of MM patients. This study describes the demographic characteristics and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of MM patients who are initiating treatment in Pennsylvania. Methods: Two-hundred adults naive to MM and referred for any of the 23 state-approved qualifying conditions were recruited at three MM dispensaries in Pennsylvania between September 2020 and March 2021. All participants consented to the study; completed semi-structured interviews that included demographic questionnaires, the Short Form-36 (SF-36), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7); provided height and weight measurements; and allowed access their dispensary medical records. Results: Participants had a mean age of 48.5 ± 15.6 years, predominantly identified as female (67.5%), and were most commonly referred for chronic pain (63.5%) and/or anxiety (58.5%). Additionally, 46.0% were living with obesity as determined by BMI. Relative to a normative sample, participants reported diminished HRQoL in several domains, most notably in role limitations due to physical health (M = 46.0 ± 42.0), role limitations due to emotional problems (M = 52.5 ± 42.3), energy and fatigue (M = 39.8 ± 20.2), and pain (M = 49.4 ± 26.0). Discussion/Conclusion: Patients initiating MM treatment experienced low HRQoL in multiple domains. Future studies could evaluate the relationship between HRQoL and patients' decisions to pursue MM treatment, as well as changes in HRQoL with MM use over time.

Night eating, weight, and health behaviors in adults participating in the Daily24 study.

BACKGROUND: Night eating syndrome (NES) is associated with adverse health outcomes. This study evaluated the relationship between night eating severity, weight, and health behaviors. METHODS: Participants (N = 1017; 77.6% female, mean Body Mass Index (BMI) = 30.5, SD = 7.8 kg/m2, age = 51.1, SD = 15.0 years) were recruited from three health systems. Participants completed the Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ) and questionnaires assessing sleep, chronotype, physical activity, diet, weight, and napping. RESULTS: In the overall sample, higher NEQ scores were associated with higher BMI (p < .001) and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (p < .001), as well as lower fruit/vegetable consumption (p = .001). Higher NEQ scores were associated with increased odds of having overweight/obesity (p < .001), eating fast food (p < .001), moderate-vigorous physical activity (p = .005), and smoking (p = .004). Participants who exceeded the screening threshold for NES (n = 48, 4.7%) reported elevated BMI (p = .014), an increased likelihood of overweight/obesity (p = .004), greater sugar-sweetened beverages consumption (p < .001), napping less than twice per week (p = .029), shorter sleep duration (p = .012), and a later chronotype (M = 4:55, SD = 2:45). CONCLUSION: Night eating severity was associated with obesity and intake of fast food and sugar-sweetened beverages. Interventions to address night eating and associated behaviors may enhance the efficacy of weight management interventions and promote engagement in positive health behaviors.

The Effect of Food Composition and Behavior on Neurobiological Response to Food: a Review of Recent Research.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Controversy surrounds the construct of food addiction. The current review examines neurobiological evidence for the existence of food addiction as a valid diagnosis. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent neuroimaging studies suggest significant overlap in the areas of the brain that are activated in relation to both food and drug addiction. Specifically, areas of the brain implicated in executive functioning (e.g., attention, planning, decision-making, inhibition), pleasure and the experience of reward, and sensory input and motor functioning display increased activation among individuals with symptoms of both food and drug addiction. Proposed symptoms of food addiction mirror those comprising other substance use disorder diagnoses, with similar psychological and behavioral sequelae. Results of neuroimaging studies suggest significant overlap in the areas of the brain that are activated in relation to both food and drug addiction, providing support for continued research into the construct of food addiction.

Provider Advice and Patient Perceptions on Weight Across Five Health Systems.

INTRODUCTION: To improve the management of overweight and obesity in the primary care setting, an analysis of patient perceptions of weight status and predictors of weight loss attempts for those with overweight and obesity is needed. METHODS: Primary care patients (n=949) across 5 health systems in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. were surveyed in 2015; data analysis was performed in 2018. Survey data was combined with data via the electronic health record to understand patients' perceptions of weight, factors associated with weight loss efforts, and provider counseling practices. RESULTS: Most participants with overweight or obesity perceived themselves as weighing too much and reported trying to lose weight. Furthermore, most participants with obesity reported receiving advice to lose weight by a provider in the past 12 months. However, less than half of patients with overweight reported receiving advice to lose weight, maintain weight, or develop healthy eating and physical activity patterns from a health professional in the past 12 months. Among participants with overweight and obesity, multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the perception of being overweight and receiving healthcare advice to lose weight had the highest odds of reporting attempted weight loss (OR=5.5, 95% CI=2.7, 11.2 and OR=3.9, 95% CI=1.9, 7.9, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The findings emphasize the importance of provider attention to weight management counseling and identifies patients with overweight as needing increased attention by providers.

Correction to: Understanding the Bariatric Patient Perspective in the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network (PCORnet) Bariatric Study.

In the original article the list of author names and affiliations were incorrect.

Understanding the Bariatric Patient Perspective in the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network (PCORnet) Bariatric Study.

BACKGROUND: In 2016, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute funded the National Patient Centered Clinical Research Network (PCORnet) Bariatric Study (PBS). Understanding the experience of postoperative patients was a key component of this study. METHODS: Nine focus groups were conducted in Southern California, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and Ohio and in a national advocacy conference for patients with obesity. Participants were identified and recruited in both clinical and community settings. Focus group transcripts were analyzed using an iterative inductive-deductive approach to identify global overarching themes. RESULTS: There were 76 focus group participants. Participants were mostly women (81.4%), had primarily undergone gastric sleeve (47.0%), were non-Hispanic white (51.4%), had some college education (44.3%), and made $100,000 annual income or less (65.7%). Qualitative findings included negative reactions patients received from friends, family, and co-workers once they disclosed that they had bariatric surgery to lose weight; and barriers to follow-up care included insurance coverage, emotional and situational challenges, and physical pain limiting mobility. CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm the other qualitative findings in this area. The approach to bariatric surgery should be expanded to provide long-term comprehensive care that includes in-depth postoperative lifetime monitoring of emotional and physical health.