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May S, Könsgen N, Glatt A, Bruch D, Muehlensiepen F, Mählmann S, von Peter S, Pieper D, Neugebauer E, Prediger B. Does the second opinion directive in Germany reach the patient? A parallel-convergent mixed-methods study. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:1198. [PMID: 37924040 PMCID: PMC10623803 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10197-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A Second Opinion Directive (SOD) was introduced in Germany in December 2018 for elective surgeries such as hysterectomy, tonsillotomy, tonsillectomy, and shoulder arthroscopy. The aim of the SOD is to avoid surgeries which are not medically induced and to support patients in their decision-making process. A physician who indicates an SOD-relevant procedure must inform the patient about the SOD and its specifications. At this time, it is not clear whether physicians provide information about the SOD to patients and whether and how the SOD is implemented in daily practice. Furthermore, nothing is known about how patients react when they are told that they have the right to seek a second opinion according to the SOD. METHODS To assess this, we undertook a parallel-convergent mixed-methods study with a qualitative and quantitative phase. Qualitative data were analysed by structured qualitative content analysis and survey data were analysed descriptively. RESULTS 26 interviews were conducted with patients for whom one of the above-mentioned surgeries was indicated. In parallel, a questionnaire survey with 102 patients was conducted. The results show that the SOD is not implemented in Germany for the selected indications because patients were not informed as intended. At the same time, when the right to obtain a second opinion was explained, it seemed to have a positive effect on the physician-patient relationship from patients` perspective. CONCLUSIONS It is possible that there is a lack of information for physicians, which in turn leads to an information deficit for patients. Better information for physicians might be part of the solution, but a negative attitude towards the SOD might also result in the low education rate. Therefore, in addition, potential patients or even the general population should be better informed about the possibility of obtaining a second opinion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susann May
- Center for Health Services Research, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, 15562, Rüdersdorf, Germany
| | - Nadja Könsgen
- Institute for Research in Operative Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - Angelina Glatt
- Institute for Research in Operative Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - Dunja Bruch
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Brandenburg Heart Center, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, 16321, Bernau bei Berlin, Germany
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, 16816, Neuruppin, Germany
| | - Felix Muehlensiepen
- Center for Health Services Research, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, 15562, Rüdersdorf, Germany
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, 16816, Neuruppin, Germany
| | - Sonja Mählmann
- Institute for Health Services and Health System Research, Faculty for Health Sciences, Brandenburg Medical School, 15562, Rüdersdorf, Germany
| | | | - Dawid Pieper
- Center for Health Services Research, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, 15562, Rüdersdorf, Germany
- Institute for Research in Operative Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
- Institute for Health Services and Health System Research, Faculty for Health Sciences, Brandenburg Medical School, 15562, Rüdersdorf, Germany
| | - Edmund Neugebauer
- Center for Health Services Research, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, 15562, Rüdersdorf, Germany
| | - Barbara Prediger
- Institute for Research in Operative Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany.
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Kisch R, Grill E, Müller M, Pietzner J, Paulus AC, Weigl M. Second opinion and time to knee arthroplasty: a prospective cohort study of 142 patients. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e073497. [PMID: 37827748 PMCID: PMC10582995 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-073497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine the impact of obtaining a second opinion consultation on time to knee arthroplasty (KA). We further examined the frequency of KA and the determinants of KA following the second opinion. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING The second opinion programme was implemented at the Ludwig Maximilian University Hospital in Munich. PARTICIPANTS Participants comprised patients with knee osteoarthritis who were insured with one of the largest statutory health insurance Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse Bayern (mean age 64.3±9.6 years). Patients participated in a second-opinion programme and completed questionnaires on site before and after personal presentation for the second opinion consultation. Follow-up questionnaires were delivered by post at 3 and 12 months after the second opinion consultation. Of the 142 patients included in the study, 47 (33.1%) underwent KA within 12 months after obtaining the second opinion. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcome measure was time until patients received KA. Cox proportional hazard modelling was used to calculate the associations between the selected predictors and time that elapsed between receipt of the second opinion to KA. RESULTS Mean time until KA was 17 weeks. Kaplan-Meier curves showed significant differences in time to KA according to the recommendation given at second opinion consultation, knee-related quality of life and Kellgren-Lawrence grade. In multivariate Cox proportional hazard modelling, second opinion recommendation (HR 5.33, 95% CI 1.16, 24.41) and knee-related quality of life (HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01, 1.06) were significant predictors of time from second opinion to KA. CONCLUSIONS Obtaining a second opinion had significant impact on time to knee replacement. Those who were recommended immediate surgery also underwent surgery more quickly after the second opinion. The effect of knee-related quality of life supports the importance of patient-reported outcome measures in the decision for or against KA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Kisch
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen, Munchen, Germany
| | - Eva Grill
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen, Munchen, Germany
- German Centre for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, University Hospital Munich, Munchen, Germany
| | - Martin Müller
- Department for Primary Care and Health Services Research, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jens Pietzner
- Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Musculoskeletal University Center Munich, University Hospital Munich, Munchen, Germany
| | - Alexander C Paulus
- Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Musculoskeletal University Center Munich, University Hospital Munich, Munchen, Germany
| | - Martin Weigl
- Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Musculoskeletal University Center Munich, University Hospital Munich, Munchen, Germany
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May S, Bruch D, Muehlensiepen F, Prediger B, Pieper D, Ronckers C, von Peter S, Neugebauer E. Second opinion opportunity declined: patient typology and experiences regarding the decision-making process preceding elective surgeries in Germany. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:1329. [PMCID: PMC9643974 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08742-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
To address the problem of overuse of elective surgery and to support patients in their decision-making process, a Second Opinion Directive was introduced in Germany, which enables patients with statutory health insurance to obtain a second opinion for certain surgical indications. The study aims to identify, based on the experiences of patients who have undergone elective surgery, the role of seeking a second opinion in reaching their decision.
Methods
Sixty-two patients who had undergone an elective surgery (hysterectomy, tonsillectomy, shoulder arthroscopy) were recruited using purposive sampling and interviewed during October to December 2020. The transcribed interviews were analysed using a framework analysis to create a typology from the patient’s perspective.
Results
The time spent by patients in making the decision to undergo surgery varies between individuals, and is influenced by factors such as the type of physician-patient relationship, individual patient aspects, prior experiences in the health care system, as well as information needs. Within the framework of the analysis, we were able to identify three patterns of patient types based on the three different time-points or phases when decisions were typically made, with one type being divided into two subtypes: Type 1a: Quick decision making, Type 1b: Overwhelmed quick decision making, Type 2: Time to consider, Type 3: Struggling with the decision.
Conclusions
Patients who followed a recommendation for elective surgery appreciate having the possibility to seek a second opinion. However, various factors influenced their opting for a second opinion during the decision-making process. Patients have differing information needs, such that a one-size-fits-all second opinion service may not fit adequately for all patients.
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Prediger B, Könsgen N, Bora AM, Schlimbach A, Pieper D. A photograph of the researcher on the invitation letter did not affect the participation rate of a postal survey: a randomized study within a trial (SWAT). BMC Med Res Methodol 2022; 22:249. [PMID: 36153482 PMCID: PMC9508740 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-022-01717-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Participant recruitment is one of the main challenges in research. It is suggested that including researcher photographs might increase participation rates, but empirical evidence is lacking. This study within a trial (SWAT) aims to assess whether invitation letters including researcher photographs increase the participation rate in the context of a survey on medical second opinions. Methods Through 25 local register offices in Berlin and Brandenburg (Germany), we identified a random sample of 9990 persons. We randomly assigned our sample to the intervention group (IG) receiving an invitation letter with researcher photographs and control group (CG) receiving an invitation letter without photographs in a 1:1 ratio. Our primary outcome was the participation rate. Furthermore, we compared participants to non-participants’ characteristics. Results Of 9990 invitations, 9797 could be delivered (IG: 4890, CG: 4907). Of these, 1349 (13.8%) participated. There were 682/4890 (13.9%) participants in the IG and 662/4907 (13.5%) in the CG with an odds ratio of 1.030 (95% confidence interval: 0.918–1.156). Additional analyses on non-participant characteristics did not show any differences. Conclusion We could not find any difference in the participation rates. Our study does not confirm the results of previous studies. The length of our questionnaire may have affected our results. Trial registration Queens University Belfast – SWAT Store, SWAT 104. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12874-022-01717-3.
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