Presenter Status
Resident/Psychology Intern
Abstract Type
Research
Primary Mentor
Jill Arganbright
Start Date
14-5-2025 11:30 AM
End Date
14-5-2025 1:30 PM
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Description
Background
Decision regret (DR) is a powerful factor in medical decision-making, particularly for surgical decisions which carry multiple risks, impact quality of life (QOL), and have uncertain outcomes. While prior studies have investigated caregiver DR after tonsillectomy and otologic surgery, there is a paucity of data assessing DR following pediatric otolaryngology procedures. The aim of this study is to measure DR following velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) surgery.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey study with chart review was performed of caregivers of children who had VPD surgery performed by a single surgeon at a tertiary children’s hospital. Demographic, medical, and surgical history were collected. Surveys assessed postoperative DR (scale 0-100), satisfaction with surgery (0-10), caregiver engagement in decision making, and QOL using the VPI Effects on Life Outcomes (VELO)-parent instrument (0-100). We hypothesized that DR would negatively with QOL but would be low in caregivers.
Results
Of 59 caregivers who received the survey, 27 (45.8%) completed the surveys. Caregivers felt involved in the decision for surgery (85%). Postoperative caregiver-reported QOL (mean 81.5) and satisfaction (mean 9.4) were overall high. DR was low (mean 4.4), with 22 caregivers (78.6%) reporting zero DR. Compared to those with no regret, those with DR>0 reported lower satisfaction (mean 9.7 vs 8.0, p=0.002) and worse speech limitations (mean 81.2 vs 67.1, p=0.015) or situational difficulty (mean 77.7 vs. 51.0, p< 0.001) on VELO subscales.
Conclusion
While DR was overall low following VPD surgery, presence of DR was associated with worse speech-related QOL. Further prospective and multi-institutional study of DR is needed in pediatric otolaryngology to identify predictors of regret and understand treatment outcomes.
Postoperative Caregiver Decision Regret Following Velopharyngeal Dysfunction Surgery
Background
Decision regret (DR) is a powerful factor in medical decision-making, particularly for surgical decisions which carry multiple risks, impact quality of life (QOL), and have uncertain outcomes. While prior studies have investigated caregiver DR after tonsillectomy and otologic surgery, there is a paucity of data assessing DR following pediatric otolaryngology procedures. The aim of this study is to measure DR following velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) surgery.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey study with chart review was performed of caregivers of children who had VPD surgery performed by a single surgeon at a tertiary children’s hospital. Demographic, medical, and surgical history were collected. Surveys assessed postoperative DR (scale 0-100), satisfaction with surgery (0-10), caregiver engagement in decision making, and QOL using the VPI Effects on Life Outcomes (VELO)-parent instrument (0-100). We hypothesized that DR would negatively with QOL but would be low in caregivers.
Results
Of 59 caregivers who received the survey, 27 (45.8%) completed the surveys. Caregivers felt involved in the decision for surgery (85%). Postoperative caregiver-reported QOL (mean 81.5) and satisfaction (mean 9.4) were overall high. DR was low (mean 4.4), with 22 caregivers (78.6%) reporting zero DR. Compared to those with no regret, those with DR>0 reported lower satisfaction (mean 9.7 vs 8.0, p=0.002) and worse speech limitations (mean 81.2 vs 67.1, p=0.015) or situational difficulty (mean 77.7 vs. 51.0, p< 0.001) on VELO subscales.
Conclusion
While DR was overall low following VPD surgery, presence of DR was associated with worse speech-related QOL. Further prospective and multi-institutional study of DR is needed in pediatric otolaryngology to identify predictors of regret and understand treatment outcomes.
