Surgeon qualifications and hospital-related factors appeared to heavily weight their selection, according to a study published in November’s Annals of Surgical Oncology.
A group of researchers conducted the survey of 214 cancer patients at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Grouping 16 factors into four categories — surgeon reputation, surgeon qualifications, hospital-related factors, and nonclinical factors — researchers asked patients which factors were most influential in their decision making process.
Unsurprisingly, a surgeon’s case-specific experience and specialized training were ranked as the most important factors when choosing a cancer surgeon. More than 75 percent of respondents reported their ideal surgeon would have performed the procedure in question a minimum of 50 times. The number of years of experience was slightly less important, but still considered a top factor among respondents: 68 percent said their ideal surgeon would have at least six years of experience, according to the report.
Hospital case volume also factored into their decisions. The clinic’s proximity to a patient’s home and parking amenities ranked lowest, according to the report.
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