Abstract
Informed consent and shared decision-making are central tenets of surgical consultations
and the decision to proceed, or not, with surgery. These standard practices require
communication with patients about the risks and benefits of the procedures they are
considering. Yet communicating about risk is not straightforward. Limited health literacy,
cognitive pitfalls, and the emotional experience of illness or a new diagnosis can
all impact how patients interpret the information they receive. Beyond the legal obligations
to ensure patients are informed, communicating effectively about risk can also support
patients throughout the perioperative period, particularly if rare complications occur.
We propose a framework for discussing risks and downsides of surgery that contextualizes
rare risks in the expected trajectory of recovery, supporting patients through the
decision-making process and onwards.
Keywords
shared decision-making - communication - informed consent - prognostication
