Abstract
Introduction Informed consent is a body of shared decision-making process and voluntary authorization of patients to receive medical or surgical intervention. There are limited studies conducted so far to examine the practice of informed consent in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the practice of informed consent process for surgery and Anesthesia. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to May 2019. The data were collected using interviewer-administered structured questionnaire and analyzed in SPSS version 23. Results A total of 139 patients were interviewed in this study. Most 42(30.2%) of patients were in the age group of 29–38 years. Nearly half 68 (48.9%) of the patients were informed the benefits of the surgical procedure and 78(56.1%) of the patients were informed on the type of anesthesia to be administered while 65 (46.8%) were not informed on any complication related to the anesthesia. About 66 (47.5%) of patients were informed on alternatives to the surgery. Of these patients, 39(59%) were not informed of any benefits and possible risks associated with the alternative modes of treatment. About half (54%) of the patients were reported as they were understood the information provided during the pre-operative informed consent process. Conclusion This research revealed that patients were inadequately informed on the complications of proposed procedure, alternative forms of treatment, risks and benefits of the proposed procedure. Therefore, healthcare providers should provide adequate information regarding the proposed procedure and make sure whether patients understood the risks and benefits before the consent.
Highlights
Informed consent is a body of shared decision making process and voluntary authorization of patients to receive medical or surgical intervention
Half 68 (48.9%) of the patients were informed of the benefits of the surgical procedure and 78(56.1%) of the patients were informed on the type of anesthesia to be administered while 65 (46.8% ) were not informed on any complications related to the anesthesia
About 66 (47.5%) of the patients interviewed were informed on alternatives to the surgery done
Summary
Informed consent is a body of shared decision making process and voluntary authorization of patients to receive medical or surgical intervention. The practice and understanding of informed consent process are not uniform among health professionals and patients. It is stated that any adult patient with the capability of making decisions concerning his/her own body has the right to get adequate information and there should be a shared decision on the proposed treatment(1). It is an ethical obligation of health care professionals to uphold patients’ autonomy and let them decide on the proposed medical, surgical or other health care and research interventions(2). It does not mean to the single moment of an agreement, but to the whole complex process of gaining information, shared decision and consenting
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