Assessment of Preoperative Informed Consent Practices Among Patients Who Had Undergone Major Abdominal Surgery: A...

Background Informed consent is essential in surgical care to uphold patient autonomy through clear communication of diagnosis, treatment options, and risks. This study aimed to assess the practice and quality of preoperative informed consent among patients who had undergone major abdominal surgeries at a tertiary care hospital in Northeast India. Methods This hospital-based cross-sectional observational study was conducted over two months, April and May 2025, at Agartala Government Medical College & GBP Hospital. All adult patients (≥18 years) who underwent major abdominal surgeries during the study period were recruited through consecutive sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire through bedside interviews conducted between postoperative days 1 and 3. The questionnaire included items related to patient understanding of their condition, surgical procedure, anesthesia, complications, alternative options, and satisfaction with the consent process. Results A total of 200 patients participated in the study, with a mean age of 44.3 (±15.0) years; the majority were female (60.5%, 121/200), from urban areas (58.5%, 117/200), and graduates (63%, 127/200). All participants reported being informed about their diagnosis, surgical procedure, anesthesia, and surgical complications. While 86.5% (173/200) were informed about anesthesia-related complications, this varied significantly with patients' place of residence and education. Similarly, 85.0% (170/200) were informed about alternative treatment options, which was significantly associated with both place of residence and type of surgery. All patients reported being given adequate time to ask questions. Consent was obtained by consultants in 91.5% (183/200) of cases, significantly associated with address and surgery type. In all instances, consent was signed by both patient and attendant, and properly witnessed. No audio or video recording was used. Overall, 94% (188/200) of participants reported satisfaction with the informed consent process, with satisfaction levels varying significantly by place of residence and educational status. Conclusion The study reveals generally good adherence to informed consent practices for major abdominal surgeries at this tertiary care hospital in Northeast India. While the overall satisfaction with the consent process was high, there is room for improvement in ensuring consistent and comprehensive information delivery across all patient demographics.