Specialist pre‐operative assessment clinics. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dhesi, J. K.; Swart, M.
• Is Part Of: Anaesthesia. Volume 71(2016)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 3
• Page End: 8
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: Anesthesia -- Periodicals; 617.96
• DOI: 10.1111/anae.13307
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-2409

Abstract

Summary: While specialist pre‐operative assessment is not new, its focus has evolved in response to more operations and changes in the surgical population. Patients are older and have more long‐term medical comorbidities. At the same time, there has been a move from paternalistic medical decision‐making to shared decision‐making, based on an individual patient's choice or preference. Specialist pre‐operative consultations have had to adapt to these changes by broadening their scope. Pre‐operative clinics have a central role in shared decision‐making, coordinating and planning care before, during and after surgery, including rehabilitation and discharge planning. Multiple specialties need to work together to deliver quality patient‐centred care.