Information Communicated with Patients in Decision Making about their Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

AbstractObjectivesTo explore what kind of information surgeons communicate with patients diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm, and if the information provided regarding the disorder and treatment options available complies with legal requirements.MethodsDutch vascular surgeons sound-recorded consultations with their patients. Recordings were scored using a checklist based on ethical considerations and five statutory categories of information on: (1) the disorder, (2) procedure and aim of surgery, (3) consequences and risks of surgery, (4) watchful observation and (5) individual prognosis regarding state of health. Each category was represented by several information items, which were scored dichotomously (‘not mentioned’ or ‘mentioned’). A category was considered sufficiently addressed if at least one of its items was mentioned.ResultsThirty-five consultations were recorded (13 patients with aneurysmal diameter