Provision of a surgeon's performance data for people considering elective surgery

Area of Science:

• Health services research
• Patient empowerment
• Surgical outcomes

Background:

• A consumer health model suggests patients should receive surgeon performance data for informed decision-making regarding elective surgery.
• This information can empower patients in their healthcare participation.
• However, controversy exists regarding the provision and patient desire for such data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effects of providing surgeon performance data to patients considering elective surgery.
• The study aimed to evaluate impacts on patient-based and service utilization outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review methodology was employed, searching multiple databases for relevant studies.
• Inclusion criteria focused on randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cluster RCTs, quasi-RCTs, and controlled before and after studies (CBAs) from 2009 onwards.
• Two independent reviewers assessed study eligibility, with no data collection or analysis conducted due to a lack of included studies.

Main Results:

• No studies met the inclusion criteria for the review.
• Consequently, no results could be reported on the effects of providing surgeon performance data to patients undergoing elective surgery.

Conclusions:

• The review found no studies evaluating the impact of surgeon performance data provision on patients considering elective surgery.
• This lack of empirical evidence highlights a gap in understanding the efficacy of such data for individual patient decision-making.
• Future qualitative research could explore current interventions and patient/professional attitudes towards performance data disclosure.