Application of Patient-reported Outcomes and Shared Decision-making 
in Thoracic Surgery

Abstract

Thoracic surgery encompasses the diagnosis and treatment of various chest diseases such as lung cancer, esophageal cancer, and mediastinal tumors. The treatment plans for these diseases are complex and often involve a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, each with different impacts on the patient's quality of life. Patient-reported outcomes (PRO) and shared decision-making (SDM) are becoming increasingly important in this field. PRO allows patients to directly report their health status and the effects of treatment, aiding doctors in adjusting treatment plans. SDM ensures that treatment plans align with the patient's personal values and preferences through information sharing and joint decision-making. The comprehensive application of PRO and SDM can enhance patient satisfaction and treatment outcomes, though it also faces challenges such as data collection and time management. Future research should focus on developing more efficient PRO tools and SDM processes to improve patient-centered healthcare quality.

Keywords

• thoracic surgery
• shared decision-making
• patient-reported outcomes
• doctor-patient relationship