Informed consent in colonoscopy: A comparative analysis of 2 methods

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Medical Education
• Patient Communication

Background:

• Informed consent procedures for medical procedures vary.
• Patient comprehension of colonoscopy is crucial for effective healthcare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate patient knowledge of colonoscopy.
• To compare two methods of obtaining informed consent for colonoscopy.

Main Methods:

• A comparative, cross-sectional study involving 176 patients undergoing colonoscopy.
• Group A received verbal and printed information; Group B received only printed material.
• A telephone survey assessed patient knowledge one to two weeks post-procedure.

Main Results:

• All patients knew the procedure's characteristics and benefits.
• Group B showed better understanding of general complications (P=.0027).
• Group A demonstrated superior recall of major complications (P<.0001) and higher overall affirmative answers (P<.0001).

Conclusions:

• The combination of verbal and written information enhances patient knowledge regarding colonoscopy.
• Integrated consent methods lead to more comprehensive patient understanding of the procedure.