Tales From VA Anesthesiology.

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Anesthesiology
• Patient-Centered Care

Background:

• Effective communication and shared decision-making (SDM) are crucial in healthcare, particularly for elderly patients with complex needs.
• Anesthesiology requires careful consideration of patient history, preferences, and risks before procedures.
• Patient-centered care models prioritize involving patients and their families in treatment planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To illustrate the application of shared decision-making in the pre-anesthetic care of a very elderly patient.
• To highlight the importance of family involvement in the decision-making process for geriatric patients.
• To demonstrate how patient-centered care principles can be implemented in a real-world clinical scenario.

Main Methods:

• A case study approach involving a 99-year-old veteran patient.
• Collaborative discussion between the patient, their family, and the anesthesiologist.
• Utilizing principles of shared decision-making to align care with patient values and preferences.

Main Results:

• Successful implementation of shared decision-making facilitated a patient-centered care plan.
• Enhanced understanding and agreement among the patient, family, and anesthesiologist regarding the procedure.
• The process ensured the veteran's values and preferences were central to the pre-anesthetic management.

Conclusions:

• Shared decision-making is a valuable tool for achieving patient-centered care in geriatric anesthesiology.
• Involving families in SDM can improve care quality and patient satisfaction for elderly individuals.
• This case underscores the feasibility and benefits of SDM in complex patient scenarios.