CONCLUSION
Our study suggests that certain aspects of hysterectomy that are
considered as relevant by health care providers may not correspond to
those valued by patients. Thus, our study provides a wake-up-call for
physicians to transition from a model of medical paternalism towards an
environment in which patients are more actively involved in the
decision-making process regarding surgical approach to hysterectomy.
Thus, future studies carried out at additional locations are required to
determine whether similar preferences are observed in patients around
the world, or whether our results are specific to the Colombian
population.