Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41539035›Full record

ArticleEuropean journal of surgical oncology : the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology2026

Values elicitation among surgical oncologists: Findings from an international survey.

Jacquelyn E Fitzgerald, Avery C Bechthold, Omari Whitlow, Olivia Monton, J Nicholas Odom, Kimberly E Kopecky

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in European journal of surgical oncology : the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Jacquelyn E FitzgeraldHeersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
Avery C BechtholdCollege of Nursing, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, USA.
Omari WhitlowSchool of Health Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
Olivia MontonDepartment of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
J Nicholas OdomSchool of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
Kimberly E KopeckyDepartment of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA. Electronic address: kimberlykopecky@uabmc.edu.

Funding

The UAB-ENhancing Research In Cancer-related Health professions (ENRICH) ProgramR25CA278711 · NCI · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · PI Elizabeth E Brown, Lalita A. Shevde · 2023 to 2026
$972k
NCI NIH HHS R25 CA278711
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundValues elicitation, the structured process of clarifying what matters most to patients, is essential to patient-centered care in surgical oncology. This study examined how surgeons elicit, document, and incorporate patient values into surgical decision-making in clinical practice.

methodsWe conducted a 26-question international online survey (May-June 2025) assessing self-reported values elicitation practices among surgical oncologists, focusing on timing, methods, documentation, communication, and preparedness. The survey was distributed through professional networks using convenience and snowball sampling methods, wherein participants were recruited directly or referred by peers. Descriptive statistics summarized responses, and free-text answers were thematically analyzed.

resultsNinety-one surgical oncologists responded to the survey. Most were male (n = 40, 56 %) and White (n = 52, 74 %), specializing in gastrointestinal (n = 32, 44 %), breast (n = 24, 33 %), or skin/soft tissue (n = 24, 33 %) oncology. Most reported eliciting patient values (n = 69, 87 %) and initiating values conversations (n = 52, 73 %). Surgeons reported documenting values (n = 55, 77 %) in the electronic health record and communicating them during tumor boards (n = 50, 83 %). Most surgeons (n = 48, 67 %) reported that patient values influenced recommendations in fewer than 25 % of cases. Nearly all (n = 69, 97 %) reported navigating treatment recommendations that conflicted with patients' values. Narrative responses identified three strategies: direct questioning, goals-of-care framing, and shared decision-making dialogue. Time constraints (n = 50, 70 %) and limited training (n = 19, 27 %) were key barriers. Most (n = 66, 93 %) felt prepared, yet 78 % (n = 56) desired additional training.

conclusionsWhile values elicitation was widely reported by surgical oncologists, it often did not influence surgical recommendations. Findings highlight the need to re-evaluate approaches and training for integrating patient values in surgical decision-making.

Indexed as

Clinical Decision-MakingNeoplasmsOncologistsSurgical OncologyAdultAttitude of Health PersonnelCommunicationFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPatient-Centered CarePhysician-Patient RelationsSurveys and QuestionnairesClinical decision-makingGoalsPatient-centered careSocial values

Identifiers

PMID41539035
PMCPMC13500059

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.