Decision for elective surgery - how well informed are patients and how easy is the decision for them?

Abstract Background: Decisions for elective surgery are difficult for many patients and some regret them afterwards. The aim of this survey of patients who have undergone elective tonsillectomy/tonsillotomy (TE/TT), hysterectomy (HE) or shoulder arthroscopy (SA) was to investigate the decision process, need for information and need for second opinion. Methods: In October 2020, n=8,862 persons insured at AOK Nordost who had undergone TE/TT, HE and SA were invited by post to participate. A reminder was sent in November 2020. Results were analysed descriptively. Results: A total of n=1,633 responses were received (participation rate 18%). Around half (54 %) of the participants felt that the decision to undergo surgery was (very) easy. Overall, the participants felt (very) well informed about the benefits of surgery (79%), the disease (76%), treatment alternatives (66%) and the risks/ side effects of surgery (67%) after the consultation with the physician recommending surgery, 29 % sought a second opinion. Conclusion: The majority of respondents seemed well informed after the consultation with the physician recommending surgery. Information about treatment alternatives and risks/ side effects of the surgery might be improvable. Prospective studies looking at the decision process before surgery would allow a clearer statement about contribution of aspects to an informed decision.