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Consent for resident participation in pediatric strabismus surgery
Derek M Waldner1, Emi Sanders1, Chris J Rudnisky2
1Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Purpose:
To investigate the proportion of parental consent for resident participation in their child's strabismus surgery when provided with complete informed consent.
Methods:
We conducted a prospective observational study evaluating English-speaking parents of pediatric patients undergoing first-time strabismus surgery by a single surgeon at a tertiary academic center. During the consent process, parents were read a script explaining the possible resident roles during surgery. Following the surgery, parents were asked to explain their decision to consent or decline.
Results:
Of 100 parents included in the study, 89 consented to resident participation. Themes associated with consent included trust in the primary surgeon, support for education, and personal experience with hands-on learning. Reasons for declining included preference for the experienced surgeon and concerns about surgical intricacy.
Conclusions:
Full disclosure of resident participation in pediatric strabismus surgery does not significantly reduce parental consent. Transparent communication may enhance trust while preserving critical training opportunities for residents.
