Shao K, Zullo SW, Fix W, Taylor L, Zhang J, Miller CJ, Etzkorn JR, Shin TM, Giordano CN, Higgins WH, Sobanko JF. Measuring Stakeholder Assessments of Postsurgical Facial Scars: A Retrospective Cohort Inter-rater Analysis of Patients, Physicians, and Medical Student Observers.
Dermatol Surg 2022;
48:418-422. [PMID:
35165219 DOI:
10.1097/dss.0000000000003405]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The relationship of postoperative facial scar assessments among patients, physicians, and societal onlookers is not clearly defined.
OBJECTIVE
To identify differences in perceived scar outcomes by different stakeholders.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
Retrospective cohort study at a single Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) center during which scars were assessed by: patients, physicians, and medical student observers not involved in patients' care using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (v.2). Eighty-one patients graded their scars at 2 visits: 1 to 2 weeks post-MMS and 3 months post-MMS. Deidentified patient photographs were taken at each visit and graded by 4 physicians and 12 observers.
RESULTS
At week 1, there was a significant difference in overall opinion of scar appearance between patient and physicians (p = .001) and medical student observers and physicians (p < .001). Physicians graded scars more favorably. At 3 months, there remained a difference in scar evaluations between patient and physicians (p = .005), whereas medical student observers rated scars more similarly to physicians (p = .404).
CONCLUSION
Postoperative scar perceptions differ among stakeholders. Physicians must be mindful of this disparity when counseling patients in the perioperative setting to align patient expectations with realistic scar outcomes.
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