The informed consent status for surgery patients in eastern Turkey: a cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Surgical Patient Care
• Informed Consent

Background:

• The informed consent process is crucial for patient autonomy in surgery.
• Assessing patient satisfaction with informed consent is vital for improving healthcare quality.
• Understanding factors influencing satisfaction can enhance the surgical patient experience.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the quality and patient satisfaction with the informed consent process for surgery patients in Turkey.
• To identify specific areas of satisfaction and dissatisfaction within the informed consent procedure.
• To explore the relationship between patient demographics, surgery type, and satisfaction levels.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 483 surgery patients in Turkey.
• Post-operative interviews were conducted to gather data on informed consent satisfaction.
• Statistical analysis was used to identify associations between variables.

Main Results:

• Over half of patients reported satisfaction with most informed consent information provided.
• A high satisfaction rate (91%) was observed for information regarding the necessity of surgery.
• A significant deficit in patient understanding was noted regarding potential side effects and complications (only 42% felt sufficiently informed).
• Patient educational level and surgery type (urgent vs. elective) were significantly associated with satisfaction levels.

Conclusions:

• While general satisfaction with informed consent is high, specific information regarding risks and complications needs improvement.
• Tailoring information delivery based on patient education and surgery type may enhance the informed consent process.
• Further research is recommended to address identified gaps in patient understanding of surgical risks.