ATTITUDES OF THORACIC SURGEONS AND RESIDENTS TOWARD THORACIC SURGERY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS

Introduction: We evaluated the clinical attitudes of thoracic surgery specialists and residents in Turkey toward thoracic surgery in elderly patients, their perceptions of geriatric support in surgical decision-making, and their educational needs. Materials and Method: This descriptive, cross-sectional survey study included thoracic surgery specialists, academic surgeons, and residents currently practicing in Turkey. Data were collected anonymously via Google Forms between July and September 2025. The questionnaire comprised items related to demographic characteristics, surgical decision-making, geriatric support, multidisciplinary approach, and educational needs. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, comparative tests, effect size calculations, and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: The study recruited 103 participants. A large majority of participants (90.3%) reported that minimally invasive approaches were advantageous for patients aged ≥65 years, and strong agreement was observed with the statement that chronological age alone should not be considered a contraindication to surgery. Overall performance status was identified as the primary determinant in surgical decision-making. Overall, 62.1% of participants reported limited access to geriatric specialists at their institution, and 60.2% stated that they had not received structured education on the management of elderly patients. In addition, residents demonstrated a more indecisive attitude toward non-operative approaches compared with specialists and academic surgeons, with 60.0% of residents reporting uncertainty. Conclusion: Thoracic surgeons support an individualized, multidisciplinary approach to surgical care in elderly patients, but limited access to geriatric support and gaps in education restrict the full implementation of this approach in clinical practice. Stronger geriatric-based multidisciplinary models and educational programs could improve the quality of care for elderly patients when they undergo thoracic surgery.