Rehabilitation in bariatrics: opportunities for practice and research.

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.