Survey on Surgeon Selection: 72% Value Risk Explanation, But Only 15% Research Their Doctors

Are you truly confident in your choice of surgeon?

Surgery is an event experienced rarely in a lifetime. Yet, when individuals or their family members face this situation, who performs the surgery is a topic that consistently lingers in their minds. Some prioritize surgical skill, while others value clear explanations and a good connection. However, how many people truly feel they were able to "choose" their doctor?

Therefore, we conducted a joint survey with New Heart Watanabe Hospital, asking 400 men and women nationwide who had prior experience with surgery for themselves or family members about their "criteria for choosing a surgeon."

Survey Overview: Methodology: Internet survey Survey Period: April 27 - May 7, 2026 Target Audience: Men and women nationwide who have experienced surgery Valid Responses: 400 samples

31.8% consider "rich surgical track record" the most important factor

First, we asked what point they considered most important when choosing a surgeon. The most common answer was a "rich surgical track record" at 31.8%. This was followed by "clear explanation" at 23.0% and "strength in a specialized field" at 18.8%. The top three items alone accounted for more than 70% of the total.

Among the reasons for choosing a "rich surgical track record," prominent voices included, "I feel an experienced doctor can handle unexpected situations" and "A doctor who performs the same surgery repeatedly is more reassuring."

Those who chose "clear explanation" often stated, "I cannot make a decision if only medical jargon is used" and "I want to know both the benefits and the disadvantages." Since surgery requires the patient's own decision, understanding the content directly links to their peace of mind.

72.3% feel trust when doctors "explain carefully, including risks"

Next, we asked when they felt they could "trust this doctor" during pre-surgery consultations. The most common answer was "when they explained carefully, including the risks" at 72.3%. Over 70% of respondents cited an honest attitude toward risks as the deciding factor for trust. This was followed by "when they answered questions clearly" at 53.5%.

Only 15.0% have "researched the surgeon's track record or background themselves"

When asked if they had ever researched their surgeon's track record or background, only 15.0% answered "yes," while a staggering 85.0% answered "no." This reveals that many people leave the decision entirely to the hospital or referrals.

When we asked the 15.0% who did research what information they referenced, the highest was the "hospital's official website" at 66.7%, followed by the "doctor introduction page" at 61.7%. This was followed by "number of surgeries/track record" at 36.7% and "reviews/reputations" at 28.3%. It is evident that people trust information with clear accountability over anonymous reviews.

66.6% would "consider changing surgeons or transferring hospitals" if they felt uneasy about communication

Finally, when asked if they would consider changing their surgeon or transferring if they felt uneasy about communication, 18.3% said they "strongly think so" and 48.3% said they "somewhat think so," bringing the total to 66.6%. On the other hand, 27.5% said they "don't think so much" and 6.0% said they "don't think so at all."