Table 1.

Overview of data structure and planned analysis

Data source	Data collected	First order interpretations	Higher-order interpretations
Case studies of decision making for surgery (June 2019 to February 2020)	Video recordings of 15 consultations across three different surgical areas Researcher field notes, including clinical pathways	Key exchanges shaping decision making about surgery between clinicians, patients (and potentially carers/family members) Unfolding interaction, and use of decision-making aids/tools Clinic workflows, ‘decision points’ for surgery and key interdependencies	How patients, clinicians and carers relate; and how/when they come together to discuss—and make decisions about—surgery ‘Scripts’ held by patients/clinicians about how they should behave and interact When a meaningful decision about surgery is made, by whom and how Organisational and clinic context to decision making
Preoperative narratives about decision making about surgery (September 2019 to February 2020)	Follow-up interviews (up to 45) with the same 15 consulting patients and their clinicians and, where relevant, carer/family member other members of the clinical team (eg, anaesthetists, specialist nurses) involved in shaping decisions about surgery	Reflections on decisions made about surgery Perceptions on the decision making process over time, including strategies for communication and sharing information Experiences of decision making, and expectations going forward Key organisational and clinic strategies, and how these change over time How participants felt	Internal social structures (what actors ‘know’, how they understand and interpret about surgery, including what ‘a decision’ about surgery means to actors ‘Scripts’ held about decision making and how they change over time, including assumptions about: Capability of users How people interact Consent Clinical work and routines How these all interact
Post hoc reflections on decision making about surgery (December 2019 to June 2020)	Follow-up interviews (up to 45) with the same 15 consulting patients and their clinicians and, where relevant, carer/family member Focus group interviews with (up to 90) patients/carers and (up to 30) clinicians