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Zahra J, Paramasivan S, Blencowe NS, Cousins S, Avery K, Mathews J, Main BG, McNair AGK, Hinchliffe R, Blazeby JM, Elliott D. Discussing surgical innovation with patients: a qualitative study of surgeons' and governance representatives' views. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e035251. [PMID: 33158818 PMCID: PMC7651722 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Little is known about how innovative surgical procedures are introduced and discussed with patients. This qualitative study aimed to explore perspectives on information provision and consent prior to innovative surgical procedures. DESIGN Qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically. PARTICIPANTS 42 interviews were conducted (26 surgeons and 16 governance representatives). SETTING Surgeons and governance representatives recruited from various surgical specialties and National Health Service (NHS) Trusts across England, UK. RESULTS Participants stated that if a procedure was innovative, patients should be provided with additional information extending beyond that given during routine surgical consultations. However, difficulty defining innovation had implications for whether patients were informed about novel components of surgery and how the procedure was introduced (ie, as part of a research study, trust approval or in routine clinical practice). Furthermore, data suggest surgeons found it difficult to establish what information is essential and how much detail is sufficient, and governance surrounding written and verbal information provision differed between NHS Trusts. Generally, surgeons believed patients held a view that 'new' was best and reported that managing these expectations could be difficult, particularly if patient views aligned with their own. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the challenges of information provision and obtaining informed consent in the context of innovative surgery, including establishing if and how a procedure is truly innovative, determining the key information to discuss with patients, ensuring information provision is objective and balanced, and managing patient expectations and preferences. This suggests that surgeons may require support and training to discuss novel procedures with patients. Further work should capture consultations where new procedures are discussed with patients and patients' views of these information exchanges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesmond Zahra
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre Surgical Innovation Theme, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Bristol Centre for Surgical Research, Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Sangeetha Paramasivan
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre Surgical Innovation Theme, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Bristol Centre for Surgical Research, Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Natalie S Blencowe
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre Surgical Innovation Theme, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Bristol Centre for Surgical Research, Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Division of Surgery, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Sian Cousins
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre Surgical Innovation Theme, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Bristol Centre for Surgical Research, Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Kerry Avery
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre Surgical Innovation Theme, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Bristol Centre for Surgical Research, Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Johnny Mathews
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre Surgical Innovation Theme, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Bristol Centre for Surgical Research, Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Barry G Main
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre Surgical Innovation Theme, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Bristol Centre for Surgical Research, Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Division of Surgery, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Angus G K McNair
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre Surgical Innovation Theme, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Bristol Centre for Surgical Research, Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- GI Surgery, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Robert Hinchliffe
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre Surgical Innovation Theme, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Bristol Centre for Surgical Research, Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Vascular Services, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Jane M Blazeby
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre Surgical Innovation Theme, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Bristol Centre for Surgical Research, Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Division of Surgery, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Daisy Elliott
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre Surgical Innovation Theme, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Bristol Centre for Surgical Research, Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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