'Because you're worth it!' - Understanding informed consent and decision making in Australian cosmetic surgery settings

Overview

Complications after cosmetic surgery are relatively common (Khersonsky et al. 2009; Miller et al. 2018). And there is a growing consensus amongst Australian plastic surgeons that during the consent phases of patient/doctor consultation, there is potentially an issue surrounding whether patients are being fully informed about the short term and long term risks, be it medical or financial (Zuckerman & Abraham 2008; Miller et al. 2018; Van Slyke et al. 2018). While there are strict legal documents that methodically point out all potential risks associated with elective cosmetic surgery, these documents can be vague in explicitly illustrating the likelihood of such events actually occurring.

As such, patients may be irrationally attaching very small probabilities to negative surgical outcomes, relative to the actual probabilities of complications arising (Khaneman 2011).

What individual factors contribute to consumer’s initial risk assessment when considering a cosmetic procedure?

And does engaging with a specialist cosmetic surgeon directly, and the explicit information they provide, actually increase or decrease risk preferences, understanding, and willingness to undergo surgery?.

Behavioural Economics as a scientific discipline (both theoretically and empirically) can provide vital insights into how consumers/patients process information and make decisions in this important medical & Health sector space.

Research activities

The successful applicant will conduct an extensive meta-analysis/literature review, in preparation for a descriptive study using an online survey.

Outcomes

The successful applicant will conduct an extensive meta-analysis/literature review, in preparation for a descriptive study using an online survey.

Contact

Contact the supervisor for more information.