title: A focus group study investigating medical decision making in octogenarians of high socioeconomic status with successful outcomes following cardiac surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore medical decision making in octogenarians having cardiac surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five focus groups conducted in a private hospital setting with octogenarians of high socioeconomic status who had successful cardiac surgery in the previous 3-13 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Octogenarian's motivations for having cardiac surgery include survival, relief of symptoms, convenience and improving quality of life. The decision to have surgery involved clinical advice by doctors that the time had come to take up a surgical option. Patient's decisions did not take into account alternative treatment options either because these had not been presented by doctors or because medical management had failed. The final decision was made by patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Decisions to have cardiac surgery in octogenarians are made by patients after discussions with family based on their risks as communicated by their doctors. This underlines the importance of effective risk communication by doctors to help patients make appropriate medical decisions.
authors: Cabrini Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; International Public Health Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors: John C
authors: JC
authors: Oldroyd
authors: Michele R
authors: MR
authors: Levinson
authors: Gemma
authors: G
authors: Stephenson
authors: Alice
authors: A
authors: Rouse
authors: Tina
authors: T
authors: Leeuwrik
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000523:psychology*; D003142:Communication; D032882:Comprehension; D003657:Decision Making; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D016304:Hospitals, Private; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010358:Patient Participation; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012923:Social Class; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: cardiac surgery; medical decision making; octogenarian