Bariatric endoscopy, care-curative medicine and legal conflicts. Spanish Bariatric Endoscopy Group (Gettemo-SEED) Positioning

Abstract

Bariatric endoscopy treats obesity as a disease, in addition to its multiple associated comorbidities, so it should be considered in the "care-curative" field and not as "satisfying, voluntary or outcoming" medicine. Insufficient weight loss cases, or complications may occur. This, in parallel with the greater diffusion of these techniques, results an increase in the risk of complaints and judicial claims, which will presumably grow during next years. In this sense, we consider that all Bariatric Endoscopic Units working with medical-scientific rigor, must be able to be accredited and have legal support by the Scientific Societies. We propose to create a Medical-Legal Advisory Committee, composed of a medical team and a specialized law firm, which allows advising and guiding the endoscopist when incurring in a conflict.