Influences on decision-making for undergoing plastic surgery: a mental models and quantitative assessment.
BACKGROUND
Research was conducted to gain insight into potential clients' decisions to undergo plastic surgery, their perception of benefits and risks, their judgment of outcomes, and their selection of a plastic surgeon.


METHODS
Semistructured, open-ended interviews were conducted with 60 people who expressed interest in plastic surgery. Qualitative analysis revealed their "mental models" regarding influences on their decision to undergo plastic surgery and their choice of a surgeon. Interview results were used to design a Web-based survey in which 644 individuals considering plastic surgery responded.


RESULTS
The desire for change was the most direct motivator to undergo plastic surgery. Improvements to physical well-being were related to emotional and social benefits. When prompted about risks, participants mentioned physical, emotional, and social risks. Surgeon selection was a critical influence on decisions to undergo plastic surgery. Participants gave considerable weight to personal consultation and believed that finding the "right" plastic surgeon would minimize potential risks. Findings from the Web-based survey were similar to the mental models interviews in terms of benefit ratings but differed in risk ratings and surgeon selection criteria.


CONCLUSIONS
The mental models interviews revealed that interview participants were thoughtful about their decision to undergo plastic surgery and focused on finding the right plastic surgeon.
Darisi
Tanya
T
University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. tdarisi@decisionpartners.com
Thorne
Sarah
S
Iacobelli
Carolyn
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003657:Decision Making; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007600:Judgment; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000523:psychology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires