Continuing Education

Bariatric Surgery and Social Work

Empowering Patients Through Supportive Interdisciplinary Care Strategies

Mental Health Education

About The Course

Course Title: Bariatric Surgery and Social Work

Learning Method: Record asynchronous distance (non-interactive). This course includes a recorded video and access to the presented resources.

Amount of CE Credit Offered: 1 credit (general). ASWB ACE and NBCC.

Fees: This course can be purchased individually for $25 or as part of an annual unlimited continuing education subscription available for $99/year.

Posttest: Following the course, the participant will take a 10 question posttest. A score of 70% correct is required to pass and obtain a certificate. If you do not pass the posttest, it can be re-taken after fully reviewing the materials again.

Certificate of Completion: In order to receive a certificate of completion, you must indicate that you’ve watched the entire video portion of the course, earn a passing grade on the test, and complete the requested course evaluation.

Description of the Course:

Why is understanding this topic important?

1. Improves Long-Term Patient Outcomes:

Addressing psychological and social challenges enhances the success and sustainability of bariatric surgery outcomes.

2. Reduces Stigma and Promotes Equity:

Raises awareness about weight stigma and ensures comprehensive, compassionate care for diverse populations.

3. Supports Holistic Health:

Integrates mental, emotional, and social well-being with physical health for comprehensive patient recovery and lifestyle change.

Learning Objectives:

Analyze the Psychosocial Impact of Obesity: Evaluate the psychological, social, and emotional challenges associated with obesity, including stigma, discrimination, and body image issues, to understand their influence on patient outcomes and interventions.
Implement Effective Support Strategies: Develop and apply evidence-based social work and therapeutic strategies, such as pre-surgical assessments and post-operative mental health support, to assist bariatric patients in achieving sustained weight loss and improved quality of life.
Facilitate Holistic Patient Care: Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to address social determinants of health and promote holistic care plans that incorporate mental health therapy, family involvement, and community resources for bariatric surgery patients.

Target Audience:

Mental health professionals and Masters and Clinical level licensees pursuing continuing education.

Content Level:

Both beginning and intermediate-level content are included in this course.

Instructor Bio(s):

Ashley Brooks, MSW, CSW is a social work professional with extensive experience in clinical and educational roles. Currently an Assessment Clinician I at UofL Health, she specializes in patient evaluations and care planning, with previous roles in academic counseling and community outreach.

She earned her Master of Science in Social Work and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Louisville. As a licensed medical social worker, she collaborates with interdisciplinary teams in Kentucky hospitals to address the needs of patients with complex psychosocial challenges.

A bariatric patient herself, Ashley underwent a gastric sleeve procedure in January 2024 and now supports others navigating similar journeys. She is also deeply passionate about addressing the biopsychosocial impacts of racism on Black children, advocating for holistic, empathetic care in all her work.

Course Outline:

1) Introduction and Presenter Background

Ashley Brooks, MSW, CSW shares her professional and personal connection to bariatric surgery.
Overview of her work in medical social work, therapy, and interest in biopsychosocial impacts of racism and discrimination.

2) Overview of Obesity and Bariatric Surgery

U.S. obesity statistics, societal and economic factors contributing to obesity.
Explanation of bariatric surgery, its types (gastric sleeve, gastric bypass), and effectiveness in weight loss and improving health conditions.

3) Psychosocial and Behavioral Challenges

Psychological impacts of obesity, including body image, self-esteem, and mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
Eating disorders and problematic behaviors before and after surgery, such as binge eating, grazing, and dumping syndrome.

4) Role of Social Work and Therapy

Importance of mental health support pre- and post-surgery for lifestyle adaptation and sustained success.
Key roles of social workers: pre-surgical assessments, coping mechanism development, addressing weight stigma, and connecting patients to resources.

5) Conclusion and Future Directions

Emphasis on interdisciplinary teams for holistic patient care and individualized treatment plans.
Calls for more research on long-term outcomes, psychological impacts, and addressing disparities in access to care.

Course Creation Date: 11/18/24

Requesting Accessibility Accommodations:

Please email [email protected] to request accessibility accommodations.

System Requirements:

The most recent version of Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge browser
Javascript enabled
PDF plugin
Graphic and audio output capability
Broadband internet connection with a minimum speed of 5Mbps (recommended)
TLS 1.2 supported by your web browser

Refund Policy: In general, refunds will not be provided. However, if you do have any concerns or grievances, please contact us at the email address below. Registrants who do not complete their course(s) will not receive a refund. Registrants who purchased the course but did not achieve a passing grade will not receive a refund. The Agents of Change Grievance Policy can be viewed here.

Cancellation Policy: If an Agents of Change Continuing Education course is canceled, a full refund will be provided to all participants.

Please email [email protected] with any questions about the course.

Agents of Change is Approved by ACE

Agents of Change, #1919, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 7/26/2023 – 7/26/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1 continuing education credit.

Agents of Change is Approved by NBCC

Agents of Change has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7620. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Agents of Change is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

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Audio + Visual Content

We design our continuing education to support all learning styles. Each topic includes engaging videos and visual slides. With your purchase, you also get access to on-the-go audio resources.

High Quality Materials

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With your purchase, you'll be invited to the Agents of Change community, a supporting skill building environment. You'll also have access to the Agents of Change team for any questions!