Should Informed Consent for Cancer Treatment Discuss Hospital Outcome Disparities?
Author Information
Author(s): Nadine Housri, Robert J. Weil, David I. Koniaris, Leonidas G. Koniaris
Primary Institution: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Hypothesis
Should physicians inform patients about hospital outcome disparities for certain cancers during the informed consent process?
Conclusion
Physicians have an ethical obligation to inform patients of hospital outcome disparities for select cancers.
Supporting Evidence
- Higher hospital procedure volume is associated with better surgical outcomes.
- Patients often receive information about hospital disparities from various sources, not just their doctors.
- Informed consent should include discussions about where to receive treatment based on outcome data.
Takeaway
Doctors should tell patients if some hospitals do better than others for cancer surgeries, so patients can make better choices.
Methodology
The debate reviews existing literature on hospital volume and patient outcomes in cancer surgeries.
Potential Biases
There may be a risk of hospitals manipulating data to improve their perceived outcomes.
Limitations
The study does not address how to effectively communicate complex outcome data to patients.
Participant Demographics
Patients undergoing cancer surgeries across various hospitals.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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