[Does insight influence the frequency of operations?].
BACKGROUND
The number of elective operations continues to go up. In some cases this may possibly be due to a lack of insight among patients. Doctors are those who best know the possible benefits and risks of surgery. A difference in the number of operations among doctors and in the general population could shed light on to what degree knowledge influences the decision to undergo surgery.


METHODS
The frequencies of eight common and often elective operations were determined by replies to questionnaires from 1182 members of the general public aged 40 to 65, and from 1510 medical practitioners.


RESULTS
There was little difference in the number of operations between doctors and the general public, and between doctors in general and surgeons. Fewer children of doctors than of members of the public had had tonsillectomies performed (p < 0.001). The parents of surgeons had undergone more operations than the parents of doctors in general and the parents of doctors in general more operations than the parents of members of the public. In the general population 6.2% of the children were borne by caesarean section, among doctors in general 10.0% (p < 0.001) and among obstetricians 14.9% (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Doctors are no more reluctant to undergo surgery than members of the general public and surgeons no more reluctant than doctors in general. The numbers of operations performed are unlikely to fall if the general public acquires the knowledge that doctors have of the risks and benefits of surgery.
Storeheier
Andreas Hopstock
AH
Det medisinske fakultet, Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet, St. Olavs Hospital, 7006 Trondheim.
Aasland
Olaf Gjerløw
OG
Finsen
Vilhjalmur
V
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires