Second Opinion Elective Surgery Programs

Outcome Status over Time

Bibliographic Data

ID9102543
AuthorsEugene G McCarthy (Cornell University), Madelon Lubin Finkel (0000-0002-7476-1430, Cornell University)
Year1978
Volume16
Issue12
Pages984-994
Publication date1978-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueMedical Care (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0025-7079 • E-ISSN: 1537-1948
PublisherOvid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1097/00005650-197812000-00002
PMID713632
OpenAlexW2041471768
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited4

Given the increasing rate of surgery and the escalating costs of hospitalization, it seems appropriate to review the necessity of recommended elective surgery before the surgery is performed. The second opinion elective surgery program is designed to screen patients before they undergo surgery. Findings are based on all not confirmed for surgery cases and an equal number of confirmed for surgery cases who were evaluated one year after their second opinion consultation. Roughly 77.9% of those not confirmed had not had the surgery and, of this, 64.4% reported no medical treatment (potential surplus surgery). Of the 710 not confirmed cases, one third (34.9%) never reported receiving medical treatment. The majority of those individuals confirmed for surgery did have the operation; however, 25.4% had not had surgery one year from their consultation. Thirty-two per cent of the confirmed cases reported never receiving medical treatment. There were 77 individuals (11.1%) who were confirmed for surgery who neither reported having surgery nor any medical treatment (population at risk). Subsequent follow up studies will present a clearer assessment of the ability of the program to screen potential surplus surgery and to realize cost savings

Elective surgery · General surgery · Population · Cardiac, Anesthesia and Surgical Outcomes · Healthcare Policy and Management · Hospital Admissions and Outcomes · Medicine · Surgery