American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery · Public domain · source
Name	American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
Abbreviation	ASMBS
Formation	1983
Type	Professional association
Headquarters	United States
Leader title	President

American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery is a professional association focused on metabolic surgery, bariatric surgery, and related clinical care, research, and policy. The society connects surgeons, physicians, researchers, and allied health professionals engaged in procedures such as gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and adjustable gastric banding, while interacting with national and international bodies to shape standards of care. It works alongside academic centers, regulatory agencies, and patient advocacy groups to advance outcomes, safety, and evidence-based practice.

History

The organization was formed in the early 1980s amid growing interest in surgical treatment for severe obesity, paralleling developments at institutions like Johns Hopkins Hospital, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and universities such as Harvard University, Stanford University, and University of California, Los Angeles. In subsequent decades it engaged with regulatory entities like the United States Food and Drug Administration, professional societies including American College of Surgeons, Obesity Medicine Association, and international groups such as the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders and European Association for Endoscopic Surgery. Leaders from hospitals including Massachusetts General Hospital and Mount Sinai Hospital helped establish consensus statements and registries during eras influenced by landmark trials and guidelines from bodies like the National Institutes of Health and collaborations with organizations such as American Society of Anesthesiologists.

Mission and Objectives

The society’s mission emphasizes clinical excellence, patient safety, research, and education, aligning with standards championed by entities like Joint Commission, World Health Organization, and Institute of Medicine. Objectives include developing clinical practice guidelines in concert with organizations such as American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, promoting quality improvement projects akin to registries used by Society of Thoracic Surgeons and fostering interdisciplinary care teams involving specialists from American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, and academic departments at institutions like Yale University and University of Pennsylvania.

Membership and Governance

Membership comprises bariatric surgeons, metabolic physicians, researchers, nurses, dietitians, and allied professionals drawn from centers including University of Michigan Health System, UCLA Health, and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Governance follows a board and committee structure comparable to American Academy of Pediatrics and American College of Physicians, with elected officers, a president, and specialty committees that interact with accreditation bodies such as Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and certification boards like American Board of Surgery. Collaborative ties extend to patient organizations similar to Obesity Action Coalition and policy coalitions linked to National Institutes of Health initiatives.

Clinical Guidelines and Research

The society produces clinical practice guidelines, position statements, and systematic reviews, often citing data from clinical trials and registries comparable to those overseen by Cochrane Collaboration, National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, and multicenter studies at centers such as University of California, San Francisco and Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Topics include indications for bariatric procedures, perioperative management with input from societies like American Society of Anesthesiologists, long-term outcomes relevant to American Diabetes Association guidelines, and metabolic impacts referenced alongside research from institutions like Massachusetts General Hospital. The society supports prospective registries, outcomes research, and randomized trials in partnership with academic consortia and funding agencies such as National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Education and Training Programs

Educational initiatives include fellowship accreditation efforts analogous to programs overseen by Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, hands-on courses, simulation workshops, and online curricula modeled after offerings by Royal College of Surgeons and specialty academies at universities such as Duke University and Johns Hopkins University. Training covers surgical techniques, perioperative nutrition with contributions from professionals associated with Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and interdisciplinary modules aligning with continuing medical education standards set by organizations like American Medical Association.

Advocacy and Public Policy

The society engages in advocacy on coverage, reimbursement, and access to care, interacting with federal agencies such as Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and legislative bodies like the United States Congress. It submits policy statements, partners with coalitions including patient groups similar to Obesity Action Coalition, and coordinates with professional organizations such as American College of Surgeons and American Medical Association to influence clinical coding, quality metrics, and public health initiatives addressing obesity-related conditions emphasized by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Conferences and Publications

Annual meetings serve as venues for presentations, poster sessions, and symposia, attracting delegates from institutions such as Stanford University School of Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and international centers like Imperial College London and University of Toronto. The society disseminates research through journals and newsletters in collaboration with publishers and editorial boards akin to those of New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of the American Medical Association, and specialty periodicals, and it curates scientific programs with speakers from academic hubs such as University of Chicago and Emory University.

Category:Medical associations based in the United States