Spanning the information divide between gynaecologic surgeons and women—We can do better

Abstract

Abstract Hysterectomy is one of the most common surgeries in the United States. However, there are differences in patient outcomes that can, in part, be attributed to inconsistent quality across gynecologic surgeons. Currently, surgeon quality is poorly defined and infrequently analysed. Surgeon volume is not an independent predictor of patient outcome and, while convenient, is limited across relevant factors such as appropriateness and cost. Summarising these diverse factors as a singular quality metric is elusive. Patients cannot meaningfully access physician quality, putting them in a vulnerable state that is characterised by the concept of information asymmetry. Despite the limitations of current surgeon quality metrics, there are surgeon performance characteristics that could be shared. Organising and sharing these data with women facing a gynaecologic surgery like hysterectomy are a professional duty of health systems, professional medical societies, surgeons and training institutions.

Keywords

• gynaecology
• health systems
• quality
• women's health