Doctors’ knowledge and practice of surgical informed consent of elective cases in St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College

Abstract

Abstract Background;Surgical Informed Consent (SIC) is a comprehensive process that involves a competent patient, a clearly communicating doctor, and transfer of focused information about the planned surgical procedure.Information-sharing is core to the informed consent process. Objective; the aim of this study is to explore doctors’ knowledge and practice of surgical informed consent in SPHMMC. Methods; Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to collect data. Data was cleaned, coded and analyzed using SPSS 21.0 Results: 37.9% of doctors answered more than 75% of knowledge questions which make them knowledgeable and only 37.4% of them disclose more than 75% of information to the patient before operation (good practice).81.3%, 71.4% and 61.1% of respondents know that therapeutic options including surgical operation, potential benefits of the operation and risks associated with chosen operation respectively are in current practice of SIC.But only 74.6%,70% and 61.5% of them disclose therapeutic options including surgical operation,potential benefits of the operation and risks associated with chosen operation before operation respectively. 86.8% of respondents said Operating surgeon is appropriate to take SIC but 74.7%of them said nurses took SIC in different units. 40.7% of doctors spent less than five minutes to take SIC and 3.3% of them spent minimum of 30 minutes.Time constraint (80.2%)and Languagebarrier (40.7%) are the two the major challenge for not taking SIC by surgeon. 76.4% of participant doctors are not satisfied with available written surgical informed consent format. Ward based communication skill teaching on consent taking (71.4%), using different format (form) for pediatrics and mentally incapable patients (62.6%) and common surgical procedure based format were suggested idea to improve SIC. Conclusions; Doctors don’t have good knowledge on content of SIC and didn’t disclose adequate information to patients before operation. They spend less time with patient while taking SIC.Doctors are not satisfied with available SIC format in SPHMMC Recommendations; Each department should incorporate SIC taking into practical teaching process, doctors should get enough time to disclose adequate information to patient, SIC format should be changed and different format should be prepared for pediatrics and mentally incapable patientsanddifferent SIC format should be prepared depend on common surgical procedure. Key words; SIC, knowledge and practice