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Preoperative informed consent: is it truly informed?
1Section of Surgery, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.
Iranian Journal of Public Health
|November 30, 2012
Summary
Patient understanding of surgical procedures and risks in Pakistan is poor due to inadequate informed consent practices. Most patients received limited information, impacting their knowledge and satisfaction with the process.
Area of Science:
- Medical Ethics
- Surgical Practice
- Patient Safety
Background:
- Pre-operative informed consent is crucial in surgery but lacks formal training in Pakistan.
- Assessing current informed consent practices is essential for improving patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the quality and extent of information provided to patients during the informed consent process for elective surgeries in Pakistan.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire-based interview was conducted with 350 patients undergoing elective surgery.
- Data collected focused on information received regarding procedures, risks, complications, and consent procedures.
Main Results:
- While most patients (87.7%) were informed about their condition, only 3.4% knew about potential complications.
- Only 4.9% understood anesthesia risks, and 39.4% were allowed to ask questions.
- Consent forms were signed by patients themselves in 58.3% of cases, with overall patient satisfaction at 48.9%.
Conclusions:
- The study reveals a significant gap in patient knowledge regarding surgical procedures and associated risks.
- Informed consent processes in Pakistan are inadequate, necessitating improvements in patient education and communication.
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