Effectiveness of consenting in Otorhinolaryngology

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Informed consent in today’s medical practice has become a cornerstone and a routine ethical component playing a major role in forming a therapeutic alliance with the patient. The present study sought to analyse the effectiveness of the consent forms and the consenting process in Otorhinolaryngology. This three month questionnaire-based study covered varying operations which ranged from tonsillectomies, grommet insertions to pharyngeal pouch stapling. Twenty-nine percent of consent forms were signed on the day of the operation. Of the patients who received leaflets (51%) during the process of informed consent, a majority (88%) found it useful. The respondents were satisfied with the explanation of the procedure, benefits and complications (70–74%). Majority kept their consent forms at home (60%) and did not bother engaging in further search with regards to the information in the consent form (81%). Majority of the patients agreed that they had enough time to make an informed consent. Patients were satisfied with the consent process but more can be done to improve the consenting process.</jats:p>

Patient Preferences for the Method of Delivery of Preoperative Patient Information

“…However, the internet is becoming an increasingly popular source of medical information owing to its wide availability, frequent updating and the use of multimedia formats in presenting data. [1][2][3][4][5] This study is unique in the literature in assessing patient preference on the method of receiving preoperative information.…”

“…4 Previous studies have examined the impact of patient education on the consenting process with provision of patient leaflets, brochures and internetbased resources, many concluding that increased patient information provision was associated with better informed patients and better patient satisfaction. [1][2][3] However, there is a lack of evidence in the literature as to how patients would prefer to receive this information. This study was therefore undertaken to ascertain what information patients were given prior to consenting and their opinion of this information.…”