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Novice Chinese Bariatric Nurses’ Perceptions of Their Role as Bariatric Case Managers: A Qualitative Study

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Abstract

Introduction

Bariatric case managers (BCM) are integral healthcare team members for patients undergoing bariatric surgery in China. As the demand for bariatric surgery increases in China, the number of BCMs has also risen. However, more is needed to know about the perceptions of novice bariatric nurses toward their role as case managers. This study aims to investigate the perceptions of novice Chinese bariatric nurses toward their roles during the early stages of their careers.

Methods

This qualitative study employed semi-structured individual interviews with 15 novice bariatric nurses who received training as BCMs. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed line-by-line, and analyzed thematically. The study was conducted in a bariatric surgery center of a public tertiary hospital in Southern China.

Results

Three themes emerged from the data related to the perceptions of being a BCM: “negotiating the ambiguity of the BCM role,” “establishing a core set of behaviors for the BCM role,” and “identifying areas of competence to develop a BCM role framework.” The novice bariatric nurses expressed both positive and negative feelings toward their role. They highlighted the need for further training to improve their qualifications and the importance of support from colleagues, and hospital management.

Conclusions

The findings illuminate the role of the BCM in China. Future research should investigate effective and acceptable job descriptions and cooperation modes between BCMs, colleagues and hospital management. We recommend using these findings to develop training programs for novice BCMs and improve their capacity to provide quality care to patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

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Data Availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author (Wah Yang) upon reasonable request.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, No. 613, Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China

    Chunqun Li, Zhuoqi Wei, Lilian Gao & Wah Yang

  2. School of Medical Technology and Nursing, Shenzhen Polytechnic University, Xili Lake, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China

    Xue Gong

  3. Helen McArdle Nursing and Care Research Institute, University of Sunderland, Sunderland, SR1 3SD, UK

    Yitka Graham

  4. Bariatric Surgical Unit, South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, Kayll Road, Sunderland, SR4 7TP, UK

    Yitka Graham

  5. Faculty of Psychology, University of Anahuac, Mexico City, Mexico

    Yitka Graham

  6. Department of Biomedical Sciences, University Hospital Austral, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Yitka Graham

Authors
  1. Chunqun Li
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  2. Xue Gong
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  3. Zhuoqi Wei
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  4. Lilian Gao
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  5. Yitka Graham
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  6. Wah Yang
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Consortia

Global Obesity Collaborative

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Yitka Graham or Wah Yang.

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Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional ethics committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

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Key points

• The novice bariatric nurses expressed difficulties and worries toward their roles as BCM.

• Versatile skills and personal attributes were required to serve the BCM role.

• BCMs were motivated and pleased that MBS candidates benefited from getting thinner, healthier, and more confident.

• Several core competences were recognized by the novice BCMs to develop a role framework.

Chunqun Li and Xue Gong are both co-first authors.

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Li, C., Gong, X., Wei, Z. et al. Novice Chinese Bariatric Nurses’ Perceptions of Their Role as Bariatric Case Managers: A Qualitative Study. OBES SURG 34, 1464–1470 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-024-07177-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-024-07177-6

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