2ND CONSULTANT OPINION FOR ELECTIVE GYNECOLOGIC SURGERY

Abstract

Medical records of 516 patients not confirmed for previously recommended elective gynecologic surgery were abstracted. Gynecology was selected because previous analyses have shown that this subspecialty has one of the highest nonconfirmation rates. The majority of program participants follow the advice of the 2nd opinion consultant; it was important to look at reasons for nonconfirmation. Findings showed that in 51% of the cases, the consultants believed that the patient''s clinical symptoms were not severe enough to warrant surgery or that further evaluation was needed. In 14.3% of the cases, no pathologic justification for surgery was evident.