Does written informed consent adequately inform surgical patients? A cross sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Informed consent (IC) is an essential step in helping patients be aware of consequences of their treatment decisions. With surgery, it is vitally important for patients to understand the risks and benefits of the procedure and decide accordingly. We explored whether a written IC form was provided to patients; whether they read and signed it; whether they communicated orally with the physician; whether these communications influenced patient decisions.

Methods

Adult postsurgical patients in nine general hospitals of Italy's Campania Region were interviewed via a structured questionnaire between the second and seventh day after the surgery at the end of the first surgical follow up visit. Physicians who were independent from the surgical team administered the questi

SUBMITTER: Agozzino E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6323683 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature