title: National Survey of UK Consultant Surgeons' Opinions on Surgeon-Specific Mortality Data in Cardiothoracic Surgery.
abstract: In the United Kingdom, cardiothoracic surgeons have led the outcome reporting revolution seen over the last 20 years. The objective of this survey was to assess cardiothoracic surgeons' opinions on the topic, with the aim of guiding future debate and policy making for all subspecialties.
  
  
  
  A questionnaire was developed using interviews with experts in the field. In January 2015, the survey was sent out to all consultant cardiothoracic surgeons in the United Kingdom (n=361). Logistic regression, bivariate correlation, and the χ(2) test were used to assess whether there was a relationship between answers and demographic variables. Free-text responses were analyzed using the grounded theory approach. The response rate was 73% (n=264). The majority of respondents (58.1% oppose, 34.1% favor, and 7.8% neither) oppose the public release of surgeon-specific mortality data and associate it with several adverse consequences. These include risk-averse behavior, gaming of data, and misinterpretation of data by the public. Despite this, the majority overwhelmingly supports publication of team-based measures of outcome. The free-text responses suggest that this is because most believe that quality of care is multifactorial and not represented by an individual's mortality rate.
  
  
  
  There is evident opposition to surgeon-specific mortality data among UK cardiothoracic surgeons who associate this with several unintended consequences. Policy makers should refine their strategy behind publication of surgeon-specific mortality data and possibly consider shift toward team-based results for which there will be the required support. Stakeholder feedback and inclusive strategy should be completed before introducing major initiatives to avoid unforeseen consequences and disagreements.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom (O.A.J., C.P., A.D., T.A.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom (K.B.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, United Kingdom (R.U.); and Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom (D.P.T., S.W.). o.jarral@imperial.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Omar A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Jarral
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom (O.A.J., C.P., A.D., T.A.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom (K.B.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, United Kingdom (R.U.); and Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom (D.P.T., S.W.).
authors.forename: Kamran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Baig
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom (O.A.J., C.P., A.D., T.A.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom (K.B.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, United Kingdom (R.U.); and Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom (D.P.T., S.W.).
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pettengell
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom (O.A.J., C.P., A.D., T.A.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom (K.B.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, United Kingdom (R.U.); and Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom (D.P.T., S.W.).
authors.forename: Rakesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Uppal
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom (O.A.J., C.P., A.D., T.A.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom (K.B.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, United Kingdom (R.U.); and Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom (D.P.T., S.W.).
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Taggart
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom (O.A.J., C.P., A.D., T.A.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom (K.B.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, United Kingdom (R.U.); and Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom (D.P.T., S.W.).
authors.forename: Ara
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Darzi
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom (O.A.J., C.P., A.D., T.A.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom (K.B.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, United Kingdom (R.U.); and Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom (D.P.T., S.W.).
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Westaby
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom (O.A.J., C.P., A.D., T.A.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom (K.B.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, United Kingdom (R.U.); and Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom (D.P.T., S.W.).
authors.forename: Thanos
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Athanasiou
mesh_terms: D022126:Access to Information; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000401:mortality*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D000068598:Data Accuracy; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D016015:Logistic Models; D011050:Policy Making; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011639:Public Opinion; D058996:Quality Improvement; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D066231:Surgeons / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000401:mortality*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: consultants; demography; outcomes research; policy making; quality assessment