Value-based surgical care: barriers, facilitators and incentives. A meta-ethnographic synthesis

Introduction: Surgical specialties are increasingly being asked to transition from traditional volume-based fee-for-service models to value-based care, which prioritizes patient outcomes and cost-efficiency. Understanding the unique financial and operational challenges of value-based care implementation in surgery is critical for successful health policy and public health initiatives aimed at improving healthcare value. This meta-ethnographic review aimed to synthesize qualitative evidence to identify and analyze the primary barriers, facilitators, and incentives influencing the adoption of VBC models within surgical specialties, thereby providing actionable insights for stakeholders and informing health policy.