Table 3.

Findings from the surgeons survey (n = 30; multiple answers possible)

Parameter	n	%
Criteria for a good outcome
Pain relief
Reduction to a pain-level that may be accepted with or without supporting pain medication	29	97
Reduction of pain medication	3	10
Relative improvement on a VAS (e.g. 20%)	1	3
Patient’s expectations / satisfaction
Achieving expectations	23	76
Satisfied patient	6	20
Patient’s declaration to undergo surgery again under the same circumstances	3	10
Fulfilling a contract between surgeon and patient on what to achieve by surgery	2	7
Disability
Improvement of function in activities of daily living (ADL)	15	50
Return to work	14	49
Reintegration into social setting/environment	2	7
Surgeons’ view on patient’s expectations of spinal surgery
Pain relief (partly-complete)	28	94
Complete recovery	10	33
Improved activities of daily living	4	12
Return to work	3	10
Avoidance of deterioration	2	7
Criteria for a good outcome assessment tool?
Short and easily understandable	11	36
Covers pain, disability and QoL	10	33
Includes the expectations of the patient (and the surgeon)	6	20
Satisfactory validity and reliability	3	10
Contract between surgeon and patient on what to be achieved by surgery	3	10
Disease specific questions	3	10
Applicable for patient selection and as treatment directives	2	7
Focus on daily activities	2	7
Includes postoperative satisfaction	2	7
Includes disease duration	1	3
Includes subjective estimation of the severity of the disease	1	3
Gives information whether a change in the score is also clinically relevant	1	3
Reasons for a poor outcome?
bad patient selection	11	36
exaggerated expectations	7	23
wrong diagnosis/indication	7	23
Psycho-social aspects	7	23
Complications	5	16
Chronicity of symptoms	2	7
Bad surgical skills	2	7
Smoking	1	3