BACKGROUND: Training surgeons in vital decision-making skills remains unstructured. We aimed to map a process of care from the perspective of surgical decision making and test whether it could be deconstructed into an accessible format for trainees. METHODS: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 experienced surgeons by using symptomatic gallstones as a clinical exemplar. Data were analyzed by 2 independent reviewers to identify decisions, cues, and decision rules, with further thematic analysis of selected decisions. RESULTS: Eighteen specific decisions were identified in 6 or more transcripts, with significant interreviewer reliability (Spearman's rho = .65, P = .004, n = 17, 1 outlier excluded). These were arranged to form a "decision map." Two main decision strategies were described. CONCLUSIONS: We identified and mapped the decisions made in the care of patients with symptomatic gallstone disease. The interpretation of competency at any procedure should include the surgeon's ability to make appropriate decisions at all stages of patient care.
BACKGROUND: Training surgeons in vital decision-making skills remains unstructured. We aimed to map a process of care from the perspective of surgical decision making and test whether it could be deconstructed into an accessible format for trainees. METHODS: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 experienced surgeons by using symptomatic gallstones as a clinical exemplar. Data were analyzed by 2 independent reviewers to identify decisions, cues, and decision rules, with further thematic analysis of selected decisions. RESULTS: Eighteen specific decisions were identified in 6 or more transcripts, with significant interreviewer reliability (Spearman's rho = .65, P = .004, n = 17, 1 outlier excluded). These were arranged to form a "decision map." Two main decision strategies were described. CONCLUSIONS: We identified and mapped the decisions made in the care of patients with symptomatic gallstone disease. The interpretation of competency at any procedure should include the surgeon's ability to make appropriate decisions at all stages of patient care.
Authors: Sayra M Cristancho; Tavis Apramian; Meredith Vanstone; Lorelei Lingard; Michael Ott; Thomas Forbes; Richard Novick Journal: Am J Surg Date: 2015-05-12 Impact factor: 2.565
Authors: Sayra M Cristancho; Susan J Bidinosti; Lorelei A Lingard; Richard J Novick; Michael C Ott; Tom L Forbes Journal: Acad Med Date: 2014-11 Impact factor: 6.893
Authors: Benjamin W Lamb; Nick Sevdalis; Sonal Arora; Anna Pinto; Charles Vincent; James S A Green Journal: World J Surg Date: 2011-09 Impact factor: 3.352