Evaluating Surgeon Comfort and Confidence in Assessing Decision-Making Capacity
Location
LSUHSC-NO
Publication Date
April 2026
Start Date
9-4-2026 10:00 AM
End Date
9-4-2026 2:00 PM
Description
Assessing patient decision-making capacity is a core part of surgical practice, supporting informed consent and patient autonomy (Appelbaum, 2007). While structured guidelines exist for obtaining informed consent, evaluating decision-making capacity presents unique challenges given its context-dependent and clinically nuanced nature (Sessums et al., 2011). Variability in surgeons' comfort and competence with these assessments has been documented in the literature, largely due to insufficient formal training and the lack of standardized assessment tools (Dunn et al., 2006).
This study aims to evaluate the comfort and confidence levels of surgeons within the LSU Health System in New Orleans when performing decision-making capacity assessments. A survey will be distributed via a secure platform to residents and fellows across multiple specialties. The survey will collect demographic information, extent of prior training in capacity assessment, and self-reported comfort and confidence levels in both capacity assessment and informed consent procedures, ensuring broad representation across surgical disciplines.
Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, and regression analysis to identify predictors of comfort and confidence. Qualitative responses will be examined through thematic analysis to identify common sources of comfort and discomfort among respondents. Findings are expected to highlight gaps in formal training and inform the development of targeted educational interventions, such as structured seminars or standardized reference materials, aimed at improving surgeon competence in decision-making capacity assessment and, ultimately, the quality of patient care.
Recommended Citation
Shi, Lawrence and McGee, Brian, "Evaluating Surgeon Comfort and Confidence in Assessing Decision-Making Capacity" (2026). Dept. of Psychiatry Research Symposium. 6.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/psych_rd/2026/posters/6
Evaluating Surgeon Comfort and Confidence in Assessing Decision-Making Capacity
LSUHSC-NO
Assessing patient decision-making capacity is a core part of surgical practice, supporting informed consent and patient autonomy (Appelbaum, 2007). While structured guidelines exist for obtaining informed consent, evaluating decision-making capacity presents unique challenges given its context-dependent and clinically nuanced nature (Sessums et al., 2011). Variability in surgeons' comfort and competence with these assessments has been documented in the literature, largely due to insufficient formal training and the lack of standardized assessment tools (Dunn et al., 2006).
This study aims to evaluate the comfort and confidence levels of surgeons within the LSU Health System in New Orleans when performing decision-making capacity assessments. A survey will be distributed via a secure platform to residents and fellows across multiple specialties. The survey will collect demographic information, extent of prior training in capacity assessment, and self-reported comfort and confidence levels in both capacity assessment and informed consent procedures, ensuring broad representation across surgical disciplines.
Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, and regression analysis to identify predictors of comfort and confidence. Qualitative responses will be examined through thematic analysis to identify common sources of comfort and discomfort among respondents. Findings are expected to highlight gaps in formal training and inform the development of targeted educational interventions, such as structured seminars or standardized reference materials, aimed at improving surgeon competence in decision-making capacity assessment and, ultimately, the quality of patient care.