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Journals / Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine / 2026 / Volume: 9 Issue: 5

Physicians’ perceptions and referral patterns regarding bariatric surgery in overweight and obese patients with musculoskeletal pain: a multidisciplinary cross-sectional survey

Emre Erdoğan(Aktif International Hospital)0000-0001-9963-0480
Berk Koncalıoğlu(Sultanbeyli State Hospital)0000-0001-6805-2745
Furkan Türkoğlu(Aktif International Hospital)0000-0002-5942-1518
Elif Nur Gencer(Tuzla State Hospital)0000-0002-8623-593X
Rabia Küçükarslan Güler(Gaziosmanpaşa Training and Research Hospital)0009-0006-9584-6448
Soner Sarı(Ankara Bilkent City Hospital)0000-0001-8863-9332
Özgür Doğan(Ankara Bilkent City Hospital)0000-0002-5913-0411
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-09-19
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Results: Overall, 405 participants (67.2%) reported that at least one-quarter of their patients with musculoskeletal pain were overweight or obese.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Aims: This study evaluated healthcare professionals’ perceptions, clinical practices, and referral patterns regarding bariatric surgery in overweight or obese patients with musculoskeletal pain, and identified factors associated with referral decision-making.
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Key Findings & Data:Methods: A cross-sectional survey was completed by 603 healthcare professionals from multiple specialties.
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Conclusion & Impact:Results: Overall, 405 participants (67.2%) reported that at least one-quarter of their patients with musculoskeletal pain were overweight or obese.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Bariatric surgery · musculoskeletal pain · obesity

Abstract

Aims: This study evaluated healthcare professionals’ perceptions, clinical practices, and referral patterns regarding bariatric surgery in overweight or obese patients with musculoskeletal pain, and identified factors associated with referral decision-making. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was completed by 603 healthcare professionals from multiple specialties. The questionnaire assessed clinical exposure to obese patients with musculoskeletal pain, body-mass index (BMI) assessment practices, weight-loss recommendations, attitudes toward bariatric surgery, referral criteria, and factors influencing referral decisions and referral center selection. Results: Overall, 405 participants (67.2%) reported that at least one-quarter of their patients with musculoskeletal pain were overweight or obese. Although 422 (70.0%) consistently recommended weight loss and 463 (76.8%) considered weight reduction highly effective for symptom relief, only 68 (11.3%) routinely assessed BMI. Bariatric surgery was regarded as moderately or highly effective by 515 participants (85.4%), and 572 (94.9%) believed it could reduce the need for orthopaedic surgery. The most common indication for bariatric surgery referral was obesity refractory to conservative treatment (67.4%). Referral criteria differed significantly according to age (p=0.034), specialty (p<0.001), and institution (p<0.001). Referral center selection was primarily influenced by familiarity with and trust in a specific physician (70.8%) and varied by age, gender, specialty, and institution (all p<0.001). Conclusion: Despite recognizing the importance of weight reduction and the benefits of bariatric surgery, healthcare professionals infrequently assess BMI and inconsistently refer eligible patients. This awareness-referral gap highlights the need for clearer multidisciplinary referral pathways for obese patients with musculoskeletal pain.

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Cite This Article

Erdoğan, E., Koncalıoğlu, B., Türkoğlu, F., Gencer, E. N., Güler, R. K., Sarı, S., Doğan, Ö. (2026). Physicians’ perceptions and referral patterns regarding bariatric surgery in overweight and obese patients with musculoskeletal pain: a multidisciplinary cross-sectional survey. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, Volume: 9 Issue: 5. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1993584

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