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Research Paper | General Surgery | India | Volume 12 Issue 4, April 2023
How to Improve Informed Consent Process in Elective Laparoscopic Cholecystectomies?
Dr. Chandan S. A. | Dr. Rehana Begum [2]
Abstract: Background: The current time requires clinicians to improve the health education we provide in clinics. Individuals undergoing major surgery should be well informed and provided with enough time to make a decision. Methods: This is a closed loop audit aimed at improving the informed consent process for day case laparoscopic cholecystectomy by audio - visual aids in clinics. We asked fifty patients attending clinics for consideration for a day case laparoscopic cholecystectomy what they thought of the standard informed consent by filling a simple questionnaire after a clinic visit. After reviewing the results, we realised the process of consenting needs to improve. We then improved the informed consent procedure by adding an informative video for clinics and developed a new information leaflet. Thirty - five patients gave their feedback on the new consenting process by filling in a simple questionnaire at the end of their clinic consultation. Results: A survey assessed our current consenting process. Out of the 50 returned questionnaires, thirteen patients did not remember any of the conversation in clinic. Five patients were consented on the day of the surgery. In conclusion, individuals agreed audio - visual information would be beneficial for the consenting procedure in clinic. We organised a new information leaflet to improve our informed consent procedure. Information included was about the perioperative journey and specific anatomy and risks of a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We received excellent feedback from 35 patients. We have applied this change to the current day case practice. Conclusion: Audio - visual aids help in providing patients with good quality information for a well - informed mutual agreement about major surgical procedures. The author finds audio visual aids are useful for discussing major surgical procedures in the clinic and does not affect the amount of time spent with each patient.
Keywords: Informed consent; Laparoscopic cholecystectomy; Audio - visual aids, Written informed consent, quality improvement
Edition: Volume 12 Issue 4, April 2023,
Pages: 1043 - 1045