A stakeholder model for prioritization and distribution of elective surgery for population health

The COVID-19 pandemic strained healthcare delivery across the United States and created barriers to elective surgical care due to lack of capacity and temporary legal mandates.1 Elective surgery is often perceived as discretionary, though surgical disease carries major consequences for function, mobility, and quality of life. Referring to these procedures as “elective” can be a misnomer, as this reflects urgency rather than clinical necessity and potential health benefits. For example, an individual may pursue a knee replacement to begin an exercise regimen to lose weight and optimize comorbid conditions.
Source: American Journal of Surgery - Category: Surgery Authors: Tags: My Thoughts / My Surgical Practice Source Type: research