Opportunities to Improve Informed Consent with AHRQ Training Modules.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Quality Improvement
• Patient Safety
• Medical Education

Background:

• Informed consent is crucial for patient autonomy but often poorly understood.
• Patients frequently lack comprehension of risks, benefits, and alternatives despite signing consent forms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To pilot test two Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) informed consent training modules in four hospitals.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of these modules in improving informed consent practices.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach was used, including staff and patient surveys, interviews, and pre- and posttests.
• Pilot testing involved the implementation of AHRQ's informed consent training modules.

Main Results:

• Low reported use of best practices like teach-back (40.0%) and decision aids (55.0%) by clinicians.
• Patients reported limited engagement with best practices; understanding of consent forms varied.
• Training modules addressed deficiencies, increased knowledge (leaders p<0.05, staff p<0.001), and stimulated improvement activities.

Conclusions:

• Hospitals have significant opportunities to enhance informed consent procedures.
• AHRQ's training modules possess face validity and effectively stimulate improvement in motivated hospitals.