Key result
High concern over out-of-pocket costs is linked to ~21 percentage points lower elective surgery uptake.
Why the study?
Understanding preoperative concerns of older US adults who consider elective surgery is essential to improving patient-centered surgical care for this growing population.
Do preoperative concerns reduce the likelihood of proceeding with elective surgery in older US adults?
Cross-Sectional (n=2,110)
Do preoperative concerns reduce the likelihood of proceeding with elective surgery in older US adults?
Absolute Event Rate: 51.1% vs 72.5%
p-value: p=<.001
Older US adults who are highly concerned about economic factors and COVID-19 exposure are significantly less likely to proceed with considered elective surgeries.
Preoperative cost and COVID-19 concerns were associated with lower elective surgery rates; leaves open whether addressing them increases uptake in older adults.
This cross-sectional study examines the preoperative concerns among US adults aged 50 to 80 years who considered elective surgery.
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Berlin et al. (2024) conducted a cross-sectional in Elective surgery consideration (n=2,110). Preoperative concerns (e.g., out-of-pocket costs, COVID-19 exposure) vs. Lack of preoperative concerns was evaluated on Self-reported decision to proceed with surgery (Very concerned vs Not concerned about out-of-pocket costs) (p=<.001). Older US adults who were very concerned about out-of-pocket costs, exposure to COVID-19, and time needed to be off work were significantly less likely to undergo elective surgery.
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