Table 2 Factors influencing the management of PTMC (1 least important, 5 = most important)

Patient preference

3.61

Patient risk factors (e.g. family history, radiation exposure)

4.44

Preference of the referring physician

2.14

Your comfort level observing a nodule that is confirmed to be malignant

3.70

Low surgical morbidity associated with thyroid surgery

3.87

Need for postoperative RAI

3.10

The ability to surgically cure the patient with surgery

3.97

Ease of patient follow up after total thyroidectomy surgery

3.57

Fear of future litigation (malpractice) if patient is observed and adverse sequelae occur

2.64