Abstract
Aim: To answer the questions (1) Are nuclear medicine patients receiving enough information to give informed consent? and (2) Do patients understand the information? Method: A questionnaire was designed to test what information patients receive, patients’ understanding and ability to give informed consent. Fifteen patients referred for myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) and 13 patients referred for radioiodine therapy were surveyed. Results: Radioiodine therapy patients are well informed. Patients gave correct answers regarding the reason for treatment (100%), outcomes (69%) and radiation protection restrictions (62, 92, 100% – 3 questions). Weaker areas were alternatives to radioiodine (31%) and the time for the effects to be felt (54%). Ninety-two per cent felt able to give informed consent without feeling under pressure. MPS patients received minimal information during referral and were alarmed by the pre-test information leaflet. Eighty per cent of patients understood the reason for referral and the stressing method. Only 20% understood the risks and 40% understood the preparation required. All MPS patients speak to the nuclear medicine consultant immediately prior to the test and felt able to give informed consent without feeling under duress. Conclusion: This study highlighted a need to slightly modify counselling prior to radioiodine therapy and significant problems in informing MPS patients about the stress test.
Published Version
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