Risk Assessment and Decision Analysis Within Surgical Applications

Abstract

Risk is an omnipresent and recurring concern within any surgical application. Even within routine procedures with a high likelihood of success and a limited probability of complications, intra- and postoperative complications may arise that place patients at risk for substantial health consequences. Equally challenging includes the task of communicating such risks to patients, where even slight changes to how risk is conveyed can substantially alter a patient’s perspective and wishes for potential surgical procedures in various applications. As such, physicians must be mindful not only of the likelihood and consequences of risk inherent within surgical applications, but also how such risks are discussed with patients and their families when discussing surgical and non-surgical options to address set health concerns. This chapter seeks to provide an overview and introduction to risk for such physicians, and offer insight regarding how tools of decision analysis may facilitate surgical decision making and frame the likelihood and consequence of potential complications to occur during and after such procedures are undertaken. Additional comments will be centered on the impact that risk communication may have upon patient decision making when considering surgical options. While introductory in nature, this chapter may serve as a helpful outline of how to understand, derive, and communicate risks that remain an intrinsic piece of all medical decision making.