What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate variation in reported preoperative medical testing practices and identify factors influencing test ordering among ophthalmologists, anesthesiologists, and internists treating healthy cataract surgery candidates.

October 1, 1995Archives of Ophthalmology

Do Ophthalmologists, Anesthesiologists, and Internists Agree About Preoperative Testing in Healthy Patients Undergoing Cataract Surgery?

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Population

701 physicians randomly selected from American professional societies who provided care to one or more…

Design

Cross-sectional

Authors

EBEric B BassJohns Hopkins University

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Specialty variation signals inconsistent preoperative practices; leaves open whether consensus guidelines would safely reduce unnecessary testing.

Key Points

To evaluate variation in reported preoperative medical testing practices and identify factors influencing test ordering among ophthalmologists, anesthesiologists, and internists treating healthy cataract surgery candidates.
Conducted a national survey of randomly selected members of American professional medical societies who managed patients undergoing cataract surgery in 1991.
Analyzed responses from 538 ophthalmologists (82% response rate), 109 anesthesiologists (76% response rate), and 54 internists (44% response rate).
Chest x-ray films were frequently or always ordered by 50% of ophthalmologists, 40% of internists, and 33% of anesthesiologists, whereas 20%, 27%, and 37% never ordered them, respectively (P < .01).
Complete blood cell counts, electrolyte panels, and electrocardiograms were frequently or always obtained by 70% to 90% of ophthalmologists, 73% to 79% of internists, and 41% to 79% of anesthesiologists.
Between 32% and 80% of respondents considered these tests medically unnecessary but still ordered them because of medicolegal liability, institutional policies, screening opportunities, or perceived mandates from other specialties.

Structured PICO

Population

701 physicians (538 ophthalmologists, 109 anesthesiologists, and 54 internists) randomly selected from American professional societies who provided care to one or more patients undergoing cataract surgery in 1991.

Intervention

Survey on the use of preoperative medical tests (chest x-ray, complete blood cell count, electrolyte panel, electrocardiogram) and rationale for use.

Outcome

Variation in reported use of preoperative medical tests and factors influencing test use.

There is significant variation and disagreement among different physician specialties regarding the necessity and rationale for preoperative testing before cataract surgery.

Cite This Study

Eric B Bass (1995) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a8bd4d63fd21775a533be3f https://doi.org/10.1001/archopht.1995.01100100036025

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Implication

Specialty variation signals inconsistent preoperative practices; leaves open whether consensus guidelines would safely reduce unnecessary testing.

Do Ophthalmologists, Anesthesiologists, and Internists Agree About Preoperative Testing in Healthy Patients Undergoing Cataract Surgery?

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Structured PICO

Cite This Study

Do Ophthalmologists, Anesthesiologists, and Internists Agree About Preoperative Testing in Healthy Patients Undergoing Cataract Surgery?

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Structured PICO

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider