High-risk surgery among older adults: Not-quite shared decision-making.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Shared decision-making is critical to optimal patient-centered care. For elective operations, when there is sufficient time for deliberate discussion, little is known about how surgeons navigate decision-making and how surgeons align care with patient preferences. In this context, we sought to explore surgeons' approaches to decision-making for adults ≥65 years at high-risk of postoperative complications or death.

Methods

We conducted semistructured in-depth interviews with 46 practicing surgeons across Michigan. Transcripts were iteratively analyzed through steps informed by inductive thematic analysis.

Results

Four major themes emerged characterizing how surgeons approach high-risk surgical decision-making for older adults: (1) risk assessment was defined

SUBMITTER: De Roo AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8405456 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature