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. 2023 Apr 27:13:82-87.
doi: 10.1016/j.sopen.2023.04.008. eCollection 2023 Jun.

Factors influencing decisions among the public related to the chosen surgeons for elective surgeries: A nationwide study

Jubran J Al-Faifi  1 , Naif Ibrahim Almuhanna  2 , Reema Meshal AlDera  2 , Danah Hamad Almohaimeed  2 , Lina Ziyad Alshalan  2 , Sara Khalid Alshaibani  2
Affiliations

Factors influencing decisions among the public related to the chosen surgeons for elective surgeries: A nationwide study

Jubran J Al-Faifi et al. Surg Open Sci. .

Abstract

Aim: It is a complex decision for patients and their families to select a qualified surgeon who meets their needs. Understanding these needs enables surgeons to build stronger relationship with patients. This study aimed to identify influencing factors, variables, and criteria that individuals consider when selecting surgeons for elective surgeries.

Methods: This is a nationwide cross-sectional study conducted among patients who have undergone elective surgeries in Saudi Arabia. The data were collected with an anonymous self-administered pre-validated questionnaire. The collection of data was carried out through web-based questionnaires using google forms. The questionnaire contains socio-demographic characteristics (i.e., age, gender, education, etc.) and different factors to assess patients' perceptions in choosing a surgeon.

Result: Patients' overall number was 3133 (56.2 % females vs 43.8 % males). The most common age group was 18 to 34 years old (63.7 %). The prevalence of patients who were able to choose the right surgeon to perform an operation was 79.8 %. Patients' top choice when selecting a surgeon was according to the surgeon's manner followed by the qualifications then the reputation. Females are choosing a surgeon according to his/her manner while males are choosing according to his/her qualifications.

Conclusion: Surgeons' manner and qualifications are the most considered factors among when selecting a surgeon while the realistic factors such as accreditation of a facility and surgeon's scientific roles, quality improvement, and patient safety are ignored among the public. This requires condensed educational efforts and further research to determine the advertisements and social media effects on patients' decisions related to their health.

Keywords: Choose a surgeon; Factors; Public attitudes; Social media; surgeon's qualifications.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Specific qualifications that must be available for a surgeon.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Impact of social media on choosing the right surgeon.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Overall mean ratings for the factors taken by patients in choosing the right surgeon.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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