Physician knowledge of risks of surgical and invasive diagnostic procedures

Knowledge of the rates of major complications of surgical and invasive diagnostic procedures is essential to effective clinical decision making. A mail survey of 128 family or general physicians and general surgeons in Washington state tested their knowledge of the rates of death and major complications for ten procedures. Overall accuracy of physician knowledge was low, with 27% of responses correct, 26% underestimates, 27% overestimates and 21% admitting no knowledge. No significant differences in accuracy were found between specialty groups. Few associations were found between accuracy and physician board certification, years in practice or performance of the procedure. For every complication, many physicians made underestimation or overestimation errors by several orders of magnitude and a few consistently denied existence of any risk. Physicians could improve their knowledge of the rates of complications associated with procedures they carry out.