Rehabilitation in bariatrics: opportunities for practice and research

Abstract

Purpose. Obesity is associated with a wide range of chronic illnesses and disabilities familiar to rehabilitation researchers and practitioners. Obesity discourse in the area of rehabilitation science and practice is limited.

Method. A meeting of rehabilitation researchers, practitioners, industry and decision makers was held for the purpose of identifying research and practice priorities in the area of bariatric rehabilitation.

Results. Areas of common ground in terms of the identification of gaps in research, practice and knowledge about obesity in the context of rehabilitation science were identified. Participants developed a concept for a bariatric rehabilitation treatment and research institute. A commitment to embark on priority action items was made.

Conclusions. This article describes a process that successfully gathered a diverse group of researchers, clinicians, industries and decision makers for the purpose of collectively advancing the area of bariatric rehabilitation in Canada.

Keywords:

• Obesity
• bariatrics
• rehabilitation

Acknowledgement

M. F. is supported by grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Canadian Occupational Therapy Foundation. The Canadian Obesity Network is a non-profit corporation funded by the Networks of Centres of Excellence New Initiative Program. The authors are also grateful for support provided by Capital Health (now Alberta Health Services) through the Glenrose Rehabiliation Hospital (Edmonton, Alberta),the University of Alberta Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine and Hill-Rom Canada for making the Think Tank possible. They are also grateful to all participants for their enthusiastic contribution to the Think Tank.