Weight Loss Surgery assessment overview

Introduction

Our Weight-Loss Surgery assessment estimates bariatric surgery eligibility while also driving consumer engagement and patient acquisition. In order to do both, it gathers and scores users’ self-reported information, with the aim of encouraging users who are potentially eligible and interested to make an appointment with their healthcare provider to discuss the matter further. Even if a user isn’t eligible, the assessment is designed to educate and empower them to seek alternative treatment for their weight-loss needs and/or other health concerns.

Data-driven design

WebMD Ignite HealthAdvisor utilizes clinical propensity models to identify consumers with a high likelihood of need for your goal service, and that data informs the content and function of this assessment. With most users taking a next step following completion of the assessment, your custom calls to action can be a key driver in motivating an already highly-activated audience.

Medical basis and rigorous review

Our assessment’s definition and calculation of eligibility are based on criteria provided by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. And like all of our content, the entire assessment is rigorously reviewed and updated according to the standards outlined below:

Three-tier peer review of all content 

• Initial clinician review
• External review by SMEs across full range of clinical expertise
• Final clinician review

Continuous review of 180+ sources

• Every content asset reviewed on a 24-month cycle
• Expedited revisions of applicable pieces for any change in clinical standards
• Real-time content creation for emerging issues (e.g. COVID-19)

Product description

Our assessment estimates a user’s eligibility based on the following factors:

• BMI
• Diabetes status
  Presence and severity of comorbidities such as hypertension, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, and others
• Quality of life issues

Once complete, the assessment gathers the user’s contact information and generates a results page, including overviews of the 5 most significant factors contributing to eligibility. It also provides an overall result based on the user’s cumulative response.

Overall results

While the results page displays more granular and nuanced information for explanatory and educational purposes, the overall assessment generates one of three primary outcomes: 

• The user’s answers tell us they may be a candidate for weight-loss surgery
  • Users with this result are encouraged to make an appointment with their healthcare provider.
• The user’s answers tell us more screening is needed to determine whether surgery is right for them 
  • Users with this result are encouraged to make an appointment with their healthcare provider.
• The user’s answers tell us that they likely aren’t a candidate for weight-loss surgery at this time
  • Users with this result are encouraged to talk to their healthcare provider if they’re interested in alternative weight-loss treatments or have other questions or concerns.