The best treatment for an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta (AAA) or peripheral artery disease (PAD) is not always a black-and-white decision. The decision might differ depending on the anatomy and fragility of the patient and the wishes of the patient. To make an adequate decision one has to weigh all factors that come in to play. Additionally, it is important to map what is being discussed with and about the patient during the entire process.
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In this research line we are mapping where in the process which decisions are being taken and with whom these decisions are being discussed. It can happen that important decisions have to be made during or directly after a treatment. In these moments it might not always be possible to discuss the options in detail with a patient. It is therefore important to discuss the wishes of the patient beforehand, but also to have guidelines and decision models to help making the right decision.
An example of a hard decision that needs to be made in a very short amount of time is the decision on whether to operate or not in case of a ruptured aneurysm of the abdominal aorta. This decision needs to be made fast, often in a setting without the possibility to consult colleagues (like a night-time setting) and often with limited information about the patient. Knowing what decision to make is not only important for the patient to prevent unwanted complications, but also to prevent insecurities for the patient and their families and to prevent unnecessary treatments. Therefore, we are developing a decision support model based on a choice experiment by multidisciplinary experts in the field.
Visiting the hospital and being treated are impactful and often complex events for patients. It occurs that the explanations that are given by the surgeon about the treatment process are not fully understood, or that the patient is left with questions. For the surgeon, it is often not fully clear if the patient has understood everything, and what level of information an individual patient wishes for. It is therefore essential to gain insight in this to optimize information exchange so that the treatment can be adapted to the patient’s specific wishes and needs.
