McDow, Alexandria D.Roman, Benjamin R.Saucke, Megan C.Jensen, Catherine B.Zaborek, NickJennings, Jamia LinnDavies, LouiseBrito, Juan P.Pitt, Susan C.2023-07-182023-07-182021McDow AD, Roman BR, Saucke MC, et al. Factors associated with physicians' recommendations for managing low-risk papillary thyroid cancer. Am J Surg. 2021;222(1):111-118. doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2020.11.021https://hdl.handle.net/1805/34463Background: The 2015 American Thyroid Association endorsed less aggressive management for low-risk papillary thyroid cancer (LR-PTC). We aimed to identify factors influencing physicians' recommendations for LR-PTC. Methods: We surveyed members of three professional societies and assessed respondents' recommendations for managing LR-PTC using patient scenarios. Multivariable logistic regression models identified clinical and non-clinical factors associated with recommending total thyroidectomy (TT) and active surveillance (AS). Results: The 345 respondents included 246 surgeons and 99 endocrinologists. Physicians' preference for their own management if diagnosed with LR-PTC had the strongest association with their recommendation for TT and AS (TT: OR 12.3; AS: OR 7.5, p < 0.001). Physician specialty and stated patient preference were also significantly associated with their recommendations for both management options. Respondents who received information about AS had increased odds of recommending AS. Conclusions: Physicians' recommendations for LR-PTC are strongly influenced by non-clinical factors, such as personal treatment preference and specialty.en-USPublisher PolicyThyroid cancerOvertreatmentLow-riskActive surveillanceSurveyThyroidectomyArticle