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Background. Shared decision making (SDM) is an essential component of patient-centered care and especially important in high-risk populations, such as older adults. Although surgery has unique risks and the potential to cause permanent disability, which can affect the patient’s quality of life, SDM is underused before surgery to explore these tradeoffs. This study’s aim is to characterize the priorities, barriers, resources, and age-specific considerations for SDM in older adults undergoing surgery. Study Design. Five semi-structured focus groups were completed from February 2022 to April 2022 with 24 participants including older adult surgical patients and caregivers as well as providers involved in the care of older adult surgical patients (e.g., surgery, intensive care, geriatrics, and palliative care). Interviews were transcribed, and qualitative thematic analysis was conducted. Results. Six major themes were identified and explored: components of SDM, barriers to SDM, importance of SDM, preparation for SDM, age-specific considerations, and suggestions for improvement. Results showed differing opinions between patients and providers about important information in the SDM process, minimal preparation for SDM in both groups, and difficulties around defining outcomes for this population, particularly in the emergent setting. Conclusion. This study identifies critical components of SDM, perceived barriers, preparation and training for SDM, as well as unique considerations in older adults from the perspectives of both patients and providers. Opportunities to improve SDM include dissemination of resources, training of surgical providers, and utilization of other providers as well as patient-centered discussions about postoperative outcomes. This highlights important areas for future work and particularly the utility of SDM tools and training for surgeons. Highlights Critical components of shared decision making (SDM) identified in this study include understanding patient values, building trust, understanding the patient’s baseline function, and defining possible treatment outcomes. Specific components of SDM in older adults include navigating companions to conversations and the challenges of navigating potential postoperative changes to cognitive or physical function. Possible areas to improve SDM include improved dissemination of SDM resources; the importance of communication skills and empathy and an emphasis on additional training for this, particularly for trainees; improved engagement of patients in the SDM process; and using other care team members such as palliative care and social work when appropriate.
Poles et al. (Tue,) studied this question.