title: Surgical decision making.
abstract: Decision making is an integral part of surgical practice and is a skill that is as important as the ability to operate. Sound decision making is the result of acquiring 'surgical wisdom', which is achieved through learning, experience and reflection. This paper reviews the processes of surgical decision making with respect to choosing the correct procedure and deciding when to operate, and how operative decisions are made, together with the factors that influence our surgical decisions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal. dmafrancis@netspace.net.au
authors.forename: David M A
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Francis
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003657:Decision Making; D013502:General Surgery / Q000592:standards*