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Informed consent in head and neck surgery: how much do patients actually remember?
R J Hekkenberg1, J C Irish, L E Rotstein
1Department of Otolaryngology, Toronto Hospital, University of Toronto, Ontario.
The Journal of Otolaryngology
|June 1, 1997
Summary
Patient recall of surgical complications after head and neck procedures like thyroidectomy is only 48%. Younger, better-educated patients demonstrated higher recall rates for potential surgical risks.
Area of Science:
- Surgical education and patient comprehension.
- Health outcomes research.
Background:
- Informed consent is crucial for patient autonomy and shared decision-making in surgery.
- Effective communication of potential complications is a key component of the informed consent process.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of informed consent in head and neck surgery.
- To assess patient recall of potential complications following thyroidectomy, parathyroidectomy, and parotidectomy.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study design at an academic tertiary care center.
- 54 patients undergoing specific head and neck surgeries were consented using a verbal checklist.
- Patient recall of complications was surveyed 1 week to 2 months post-consent.
Main Results:
- Overall patient recall of potential complications was 48%.
- Patients recalling over 50% of complications were significantly younger (p = .04) and had higher education levels (p = .04).
- Patient gender and time elapsed since consent did not significantly impact recall rates.
Conclusions:
- A significant correlation exists between patient age, education level, and recall of surgical complications.
- Enhancing informed consent processes may require tailoring communication strategies based on patient demographics.