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[On informed patient consent]
M C Kayser1, Y von Harder, B Friemert
1Augenklinik Herzog Carl Theodor, München.
Der Chirurg; Zeitschrift Fur Alle Gebiete Der Operativen Medizen
|October 26, 2005
Summary
Informed consent recall is poor, with only 12.6% actively remembering details. Increasing documented information and patient-doctor interaction significantly improves patient recall of informed consent details.
Area of Science:
- Medical Law
- Patient Communication
- Surgical Quality Improvement
Background:
- Lawsuits citing insufficient informed consent are common, impacting medical practice.
- Understanding patient recall of informed consent is crucial for improving the process.
- Current informed consent procedures show significant variability in clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical process of obtaining informed consent.
- To assess patient recall of informed consent information 3-7 days post-operation.
- To identify factors influencing patient recall of informed consent.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 104 patients undergoing surgical procedures.
- Assessed informed consent documentation, patient recall (active and passive), and patient/physician interaction.
- Utilized Mini Mental State Test for cognitive function assessment and analyzed demographic/clinical factors.
Main Results:
- Informed consent documentation varied widely (2-18 items).
- Patient recall was low: 12.6% active recall, 43.5% passive recall.
- Only the number of documented items significantly impacted recall; increased patient-doctor interaction also improved recall.
Conclusions:
- The process of obtaining informed consent is highly variable and often inadequately documented.
- Patient recall of informed consent information is generally poor.
- Enhancing documentation and patient-physician interaction are key to improving informed consent comprehension and reducing litigation risk.