AN AUDIT OF INFORMED CONSENT IN SURGICAL PATIENTS AT A UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Authors

  • Faisal Ghani Siddiqui
  • Jan Mohammad Shaikh
  • Mohammad Munir Memon

Abstract

Background: To obtain informed consent is considered an integral part of modern clinicalpractice. It works as a safeguard of patient’s rights and minimizes the chances of legal actionagainst the physician in case of any complication arising from the proposed therapy. Objectivewas to evaluate the practice of informed consent in patients undergoing surgery in a Universityhospital. Methods: A survey was conducted at different surgical departments of a universityhospital during December 2007 to March 2008. Participants were selected from patients over theage of 18 years who had undergone elective or emergency surgery. All interviews were based onstructured questionnaire. The patients were asked if an informed consent was taken or not beforethe surgery. They were also inquired if they were given information about the diagnosis, thesurgical procedure planned and risks associated with it. The patients were also asked if they wereinformed about the types of anaesthesia proposed. Results: A total of 106 patients were randomlyselected for this study. In 8.5% cases, no consent was taken. Only 38% of the surveyed patientsacknowledged that they actually understood the information imparted to them. 66% patients wereinformed about the type of anaesthesia proposed but none was given any hint about complicationsof anaesthesia. 11% patients actually signed the consent forms themselves. Conclusion: Thequality of existing informed consent process in a university hospital is less than ideal. There is agreat need to educate the doctors and healthcare regarding the importance of patient’s autonomyand their right to the information about their medical condition and the proposed surgicalprocedures to ensure their participation in the decision making regarding their treatment.Keywords: Informed consent, audit, postoperative patients

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Published

2010-03-01

Issue

Vol. 22 No. 1 (2010): JOURNAL OF AYUB MEDICAL COLLEGE, ABBOTTABAD

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

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