Frequently Asked Questions

What is PEGASUS?

PEGASUS is an intervention involving a discussion with a specially trained health professional and completion of a PEGASUS sheet that records and rates the patient’s own goals in relation to a particular surgical procedure.  It facilitates shared-decision making and clear communication between the patient and surgical team.

Is PEGASUS a decision aid?

No, it is an intervention to facilitate shared decision-making (see above).

I’m a patient considering having appearance-altering surgery. Can PEGASUS help me make my decision?

PEGASUS is only available through surgical teams who have been specially trained in its use, it is not currently available directly to patients

I’m a surgeon, can I use PEGASUS with my patients?

Yes, the PEGASUS intervention is now available, along with the necessary support materials, to health professionals working with patients in those groups in which it has been tested (e.g. breast reconstruction or breast augmentation). If you have any difficulties accessing the intervention, or if you are interested in using PEGASUS with a patient group that it has not yet been tested with, please contact the PEGASUS team (car@uwe.ac.uk).

What's the theoretical basis to PEGASUS?

PEGASUS has been developed based on the principles of shared decision making, decision coaching, doctor-patient communication and MRC guidance for the development and evaluation of complex interventions. Further details of the theoretical basis of the intervention development and use can be found in the following publication:

Clarke, A., Paraskeva, N., White, P., Tollow, P., Hansen, E., & Harcourt, D. (2020). PEGASUS: the Design of an Intervention to Facilitate Shared Decision-making in Breast Reconstruction. Journal of Cancer Education, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-019-01656-6. Available from https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/4405892

How can I learn more about PEGASUS?

Papers have been published on the development and evaluation of the PEGASUS intervention.  Click here​ for details.