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Biomedical subjects

E G McCarthy

Publications and source records attributed to E G McCarthy.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

Second consultant opinion for elective gynecologic surgery.

Medical records of 516 patients not confirmed for previously recommended elective gynecologic surgery were abstracted. All had participated in the Cornell second opinion elective surgery program between 1972 and 1979. Gynecology was selected because previous analyses consistently have shown that this subspecialty has one of the highest nonconfirmation rates. Moreover, the majority of program participants follow the advice of the second opinion consultant; hence, it was deemed important to look at reasons for nonconfirmation. Findings showed that in 51% of the cases, the consultants believed either that the patient's clinical symptoms were not severe enough to warrant surgery or that further evaluation was needed. In 14.3% of the cases, no pathologic justification for surgery was evident.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

The Elective Surgery Second Opinion Program.

The results of the Cornell Elective Surgery Second Opinion Program are presented. From February 1972 to January 1978, 7053 patients were evaluated for proposed elective surgery, and in 27.6% of these, the operations were not approved. The subspecialties of orthopedics and gynecology demonstrated the highest rates of non-confirmation, while that for general surgery was 18%. A group of 318 patients with general surgical diagnosis are reviewed. The percentage of nonconfirmed surgery for this group was 15 percent. The most common reasons for not approving the operations were absence of pathology and failure to utilize medical therapy when indicated.

Female↗
PubMed1978

Second opinion elective surgery programs: outcome status over time.

Given the increasing rate of surgery and the escalating costs of hospitalization, it seems appropriate to review the necessity of recommended elective surgery before the surgery is performed. The second opinion elective surgery program is designed to screen patients before they undergo surgery. Findings are based on all not confirmed for surgery cases and an equal number of confirmed for surgery cases who were evaluated one year after their second opinion consultation. Roughly 77.9% of those not confirmed had not had the surgery and, of this, 64.4% reported no medical treatment (potential surplus surgery). Of the 710 not confirmed cases, one third (34.9%) never reported receiving medical treatment. The majority of those individuals confirmed for surgery did have the operation; however, 25.4% had not had surgery one year from their consultation. Thirty-two per cent of the confirmed cases reported never receiving medical treatment. There were 77 individuals (11.1%) who were confirmed for surgery who neither reported having surgery nor any medical treatment (population at risk). Subsequent follow up studies will present a clearer assessment of the ability of the program to screen potential surplus surgery and to realize cost savings.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The use and value of third surgical opinions.

The results of new research into the contributions of third surgical opinions to health care quality and cost-effectiveness are reported by the Director and top Marketing and Research officers of the Health Benefits Research Center. As executives of the oldest second surgical opinion network in the U.S., the authors were able to test widespread beliefs about second and third opinion programs. Some, they found, did not hold up.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗