Please take care not only of the illness but also of the person. This is what a multidisciplinary approach to health advocates. As its name suggests, this concept presupposes integration between different fields of knowledge, especially in more complex treatments, such as the fight against obesity. According to data from the World Obesity Atlas 2025, one in three adult Brazilians (31% of this group) has this condition.
Dr. Gabriela Molinari, a physician who specializes in obesity, metabolism, regenerative medicine, and longevity at the Molinari Institute in Campo Grande, Mississippi, explains that for years, medicine has divided the body into isolated parts, and each specialty has functioned in a fragmented manner without communication between the segments. She makes clear that the interdisciplinary approach understands humans as a set of interconnected systems influenced by physical, emotional, and behavioral factors.
“In modern clinical practice, this integrated vision allows us to understand each patient’s real-life situation, including their daily life, habits, pain, and motivations. This allows us to develop individualized, more humane, and effective treatment plans that not only treat the symptoms, but also promote real, lasting change. The difference is precisely that: caring for the individual, not just the disease,” says Dr. Gabriela Molinari.
Multidisciplinary care aims to improve the patient experience, for example in gastrointestinal surgery or bariatric surgery. For these surgeries, a comprehensive nutritional, psychological, metabolic, endoscopic, cardiovascular, and pre-anesthetic evaluation is performed preoperatively to identify and treat changes that may impact the success of the procedure and the postoperative period.
“This step is essential to prevent complications such as thrombosis, difficult intubation, vitamin deficiencies, anemia, the use of dangerous drugs, allergies, and even previous surgeries that may interfere with the chosen approach. The more careful this assessment, the better the indication for surgery and the lower the risk for the patient,” emphasizes Dr. Fabio Molinari, gastrointestinal surgeon at the Molinari Institute.
In addition to the technical competency of the team, empathy, consideration, and respect are essential during the intraoperative period (from the time the patient enters the operating room until the patient is taken to the recovery room). Dr. Fabio Molinari argues that patients and their companions need to feel safe and welcome.
“Postoperatively, continuous clinical, nutritional, psychological, and metabolic monitoring serves as a true support network. This integration maintains results over time and promotes adherence, health status, and prevention of complications. Collaboration between specialties allows us to transform not only treatment but also patients’ lives,” adds Dr. Agatha Molinari, gastroenterologist at the Molinari Institute.
According to the expert, the main tests for diagnostic care include esophageal manometry, pH monitoring, impedance-pH monitoring, hydrogen breath testing, food intolerance assessment, and functional and inflammatory bowel disease diagnosis.
Dr. Marina Molinari, a physician at the Molinari Institute, highlights the practical benefits of this approach. For her, when patients understand that all professionals are connected and speak the same language, comfort and trust increases.
“Working as a team creates a support network that strengthens patients emotionally and encourages compliance with treatment recommendations. Additionally, joint vision allows for more precise adjustments while respecting each person’s limits and rhythms,” says Dr. Marina Molinari.
For patients undergoing obesity treatment, the Molinari Institute, staffed by four experts, also integrates neurobehavioral approaches focused on restoring self-esteem, changing dietary identity, and building long-term sustainable habits. This monitoring will be conducted by clinical psychologist Bruno S. Morghetti.
“Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy (CBT), led by psychologists at the Molinari Institute, is also monitored. The focus is on emotional regulation, self-awareness, and building practical strategies to change eating behavior and lifestyle,” the psychologist explains.
Additionally, we have expert nutritionists who provide personalized plans tailored to a patient’s body composition, preferences, and metabolic needs. He is also a physical education teacher.
Physicians at the Molinari Institute champion the role of families in the process of changing habits and maintaining results. Involving families in treatment by providing information, listening and practical support can make treatment easier and more effective, they say.
“In short, a multidisciplinary approach means looking at patients in a complete way, in terms of their history, challenges, and possibilities. For me, as a physician, this is a way to practice more authentic medicine, based on connection, listening, and purposeful science,” emphasizes Dr. Gabriela Molinari.
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