Objective

In recent years outcome related data have been published for units and individual surgeons in various surgical specialties. This has been driven by the NHS and professional organisations. We sought to find out the views of patients and other members of the general public as to what information they would want to know about a Thoracic Surgeon.

Methods

We conducted a survey of patients which included inpatients in Thoracic Surgery as well as other specialties. We also surveyed members of general public and health professionals. The survey comprised 14 questions which used a visual analogue scale, as well as free text and multiple choice questions.

Results

60 people responded. 32 participants considered age of the surgeon to be important, but gender (0) & ethnicity (1) were not. 45 (75%) would like their surgeon to perform the procedure at least once a week and 41 (68%) would only accept a surgeon who had performed the procedure ≥ 10 times. 28 (47%) participants wanted statistics regarding their surgeon, of which only 11 (39%) wanted to know about mortality, 17 (61%) about length of stay & 20 (69%) waiting times. 52 (87%) thought hospital reputation was important.

Conclusion

Less than half of the participants wanted statistics related to the surgeon. Waiting times, length of stay and complications were considered more important than mortality. The use of surgeon specific mortality rates in Thoracic Surgery is not demanded by the general public.