Improving preop decision making for older patients

Editor's Note

In this study, researchers developed a question prompt list for older adults considering high-risk surgery.

Three decision-making needs were addressed, including clarification of treatment options, setting postoperative expectations, and advance care planning.

The list included 11 questions within 3 domains:

• Should I have surgery?
• What should I expect if everything goes well?
• What happens if things go wrong?

Though these elements seem to be covered during traditional informed consent, this intervention is designed to rectify gaps in communication identified by patients and family members that current practices fail to address, the authors say.

Importance Older patients are at greater risk for postoperative complications, yet they are less likely than younger patients to ask questions about surgery. Objective To design an intervention to improve preoperative decision making and manage postoperative expectations. Design, Setting, and Participants A Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) was created to help identify preoperative decisional needs.