Different Perception of Surgical Risks Between Physicians and Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Abstract

Although informed consent for surgical procedures requires that the procedures are explained and that the patient understands the procedures and risks, our data suggest different perceptions of the quality of information provided during this process between patients and physicians. Physicians should be aware that surgical risks might be perceived differently by patients and this perception might be influenced, for example, by patients' age and education. Major efforts should be directed to improve communications skills in surgical laparoscopy.

Potential patient harms from misinterpretation of publically reported surgical outcomes

“…Nearly half of respondents over‐estimated Surgeon C's complication rate by more than five‐fold and expectedly this group was more willing to pay out‐of‐pocket to switch surgeons, as they were under the impression that Surgeon A's complication rate was markedly lower, although the true difference was marginal. The phenomenon of overestimating risk is well recognised in the medical field, with previous examples including women's perception of breast cancer risk and surgical risk perceived by patients undergoing cholecystectomy . Women in the former example over‐estimated their risk of dying from breast cancer by >20‐fold and the effectiveness of screening by >10‐fold.…”

Islam and the Urinary Stoma: A Contemporary Theological and Urological Dilemma

“…This is most likely due to the issue of risk being left purposefully vague by ourselves. The perception of surgical risk for the same procedure is variable between each patient 10 . Surgical risk is individually assessed and it is very difficult to convey this in a structured question.…”

Leadership in cardiac surgery

“…For example, there is evidence to suggest that patients perceive the long-term risks associated with percutaneous interventions to be lower than physicians [48,49]. While differential perception of procedural risk by patients and physicians is not confined to cardiovascular medicine [50], this must be addressed. Where current best practice is not being implemented [51,52] the reasons should be explored openly, without blame and recrimination.…”