Work

Optimizing physician-patient communication through an integrated perspective of prospect theory and the ultimatum game: a controlled study among patients undergoing elective surgery or invasive procedures in a Chinese tertiary hospital

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study developed a structured preoperative communication intervention based on the complementary mechanisms of prospect theory and the ultimatum game. It evaluated effects on risk understanding, trust in physicians, treatment decisions, and related clinical outcomes. A two-campus, campus-level randomized, parallel-group controlled design included 320 patients undergoing elective surgery or invasive procedures at a tertiary hospital in Henan Province, China. One campus was assigned to the intervention condition and the other to the control condition, with 160 patients enrolled at each campus. The primary outcomes were risk understanding and trust in physicians. Secondary outcomes were treatment acceptance, 30-day complications after surgery or invasive procedures, and medical disputes within 3 months. Between-group associations were assessed using multivariable linear regression, logistic regression, and a modified Poisson model. In patient-level adjusted analyses, risk understanding was higher in the intervention group (beta = 2.001, 95% CI: 1.869–2.133). Trust in physicians was also higher (beta =2.703, 95% CI: 2.579–2.828). Treatment acceptance was more likely (OR = 3.491, P = 0.001), and the risk of 30-day complications after surgery or invasive procedures was lower (RR = 0.413, P < 0.001). Because medical disputes were uncommon, the corresponding association requires confirmation in larger samples. Structured preoperative communication based on cognitive calibration and interactional fairness was associated with better risk understanding, greater trust in physicians, and higher treatment acceptance. It was also associated with a lower risk of 30-day complications after surgery or invasive procedures.

Source: Frontiers in Public Health

DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1937493

Authors: Muqing Niu, Panpan Liu

Institutions: Henan University of Science and Technology, First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Patient-Provider Communication in Healthcare

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801