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Lamb M, Woodward JM, Quaranto B, White BAA, Harris LM, Lukan JK, Brewer J, Schwaitzberg SD, Cooper CA. Do Interns Learn On-The-Job How to Obtain Proper Informed Consent for Surgical Procedures? JOURNAL OF SURGICAL EDUCATION 2024; 81:1215-1221. [PMID: 39025720 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2024.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Obtaining surgical informed consent (SIC) is a critical skill most residents are expected to learn "on-the-job." This study sought to quantify the effect of 1 year of clinical experience on performance obtaining SIC in the absence of formal informed consent education. DESIGN In this case-control cohort study, PGY1 and PGY2 surgical residents in an academic program were surveyed regarding their experiences and confidence in obtaining SIC; then assessed obtaining informed consent for a right hemicolectomy from a standardized patient. SETTING Single academic general surgery residency program in Buffalo, NY. PARTICIPANTS Ten PGY1 and eight PGY2 general surgery residents were included in the study, after excluding residents with additional years of training. RESULTS PGY2 residents had significantly more experience obtaining SIC compared to PGY1 residents (median response: ">50" vs "between 6 and 15," p = 0.001), however there was no difference in self-reported confidence in ability obtaining SIC (mean 3.2/5 in PGY1 vs 3.4/5 in PGY2, p = 0.61), self-reported knowledge of SIC (mean 3.1/5 in PGY1 vs 3.6/5 in PGY2, p = 0.15), performance on a test regarding SIC (mean score 9.0/20, SD 3.9 for PGY1 vs mean score 9.6/20, SD 3.5, t = 0.387, p = 0.739) or performance during a standardized patient interview (mean 11.2/20, SD 2.78 for PGY1 vs mean 11.4/20, SD 1.51 for PGY2, p = 0.87). In the interviews all residents addressed general risks (bleeding/infection), however both groups performed worse in addressing procedure-specific risks including anastomotic leak as risk for hemicolectomy. CONCLUSIONS A year of clinical training between PGY1 to PGY2 did not improve performance in obtaining surgical informed consent when lacking formal education, despite self-confidence in their ability. A curriculum covering the content, delivery and assessment of informed consent should be initiated for residents upon arrival to surgical training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Lamb
- Department of Surgery, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY
| | - John M Woodward
- Department of Surgery, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY
| | - Brian Quaranto
- Department of Surgery, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY
| | - Bobbie Ann Adair White
- Department of Health Professions Education, Massachusetts General Hospital School of Healthcare Leadership, Boston, MA; Department of Surgery, Baylor Scott and White Health, Temple, TX
| | - Linda M Harris
- Department of Surgery, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY
| | - James K Lukan
- Department of Surgery, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY
| | - Jeffrey Brewer
- Department of Surgery, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY
| | - Steven D Schwaitzberg
- Department of Surgery, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY
| | - Clairice A Cooper
- Department of Surgery, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY.
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Trang K, Pierce L, Wick EC. The Impact of Using Electronic Consents on Documentation of Language-Concordant Surgical Consent for Patients with Limited English Proficiency. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf 2024; 50:528-532. [PMID: 38565472 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcjq.2024.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although access to a professional medical interpreter is federally mandated, surgeons report underutilization during informed consent. Improvement requires understanding the extent of the lapses. Adoption of electronic consent (eConsent) has been associated with improvements in documentation and identification of practice improvement opportunities. The authors evaluated the impact of the transition from paper to eConsent on language-concordant surgical consent delivery for patients with limited English proficiency (LEP). METHODS The study period (February 8, 2023, to June 14, 2023) corresponds to the period immediately following the institutional adoption of eConsents. Inclusion criteria included age > 18 years, documented preferred language other than English, and self-signed eConsent form. The authors assessed documentation of language-concordant interpreter-mediated verbal consent discussion and delivery of the written surgical consent form in a language-concordant template. Performance was compared to a preimplementation baseline derived from monthly random audits of paper consents between January and December 2022. RESULTS A total of 1,016 eConsent encounters for patients with LEP were included, with patients speaking 49 different languages, most commonly Spanish (46.5%), Chinese (22.1%), and Russian (6.8%). After the implementation of eConsent, overall documentation of language-concordant interpreter-mediated consents increased from 56.9% to 83.9% (p < 0.001), although there was variation between surgical services and between languages, suggesting that there is still likely room for improvement. Most patients (94.1%) whose preferred language had an associated translated written consent template (Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Arabic), received a language-concordant written consent. CONCLUSION The transition to eConsent was associated with improved documentation of language-concordant informed consent in surgery, both in terms of providing written materials in the patient's preferred language and in the documentation of interpreter use, and allowed for the identification of areas to target for practice improvement with interpreter use.
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Delgado CA, McCullers MR, Bloom SW. Evaluating the Efficacy of Surgical Consent. Am Surg 2023:31348231161702. [PMID: 36921342 DOI: 10.1177/00031348231161702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patient autonomy is the most important of the core values of medical ethics, yet the process of obtaining surgical consent remains a lesser scrutinized area of modern surgical practice. Informed consent implies a patient's understanding of nature of the operation, indications, risks, benefits, and alternatives. Surgical consent has traditionally been obtained through verbal communication and formalized by signing a legal document. This process oftentimes leaves patients unequipped with adequate knowledge about the procedure they just consented to. In most cases, it is simply impossible for the non-medically trained layperson to fully understand the nuances of surgery in a conversation. Some may argue a degree of paternalism may be inevitable; we believe there is room for improvement. METHODS We chose to examine English-speaking adult patients undergoing common procedures (laparoscopic cholecystectomy, open inguinal hernia repair, and skin mass/soft tissue excision). We asked 71 patients to complete a free response survey on the risks, benefits, and alternatives to the operation they had just consented to. The patients were administered the survey either in the outpatient clinic or in the preoperative area. RESULTS Our analysis showed that most of our patients understand the inherent risks, benefits, and alternatives when being consented but that less than 50% of those consented were considered to have adequate understanding of the procedures they were consented for. DISCUSSION This study highlights key deficits and potential areas of improvement in the informed consent process. Based on the results, we have significant room for improvement and the responsibility to do so.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A Delgado
- Department of Surgery, 440172AdventHealth Orlando, Orlando, FL, USA
| | | | - Scott W Bloom
- Department of Surgery, 440172AdventHealth Orlando, Orlando, FL, USA
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Surgical informed consent: new challenges. Curr Probl Surg 2023; 60:101258. [PMID: 36813352 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpsurg.2022.101258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Kiernan A, Fahey B, Guraya SS, Boland F, Moneley D, Doyle F, Harkin DW. Digital technology in informed consent for surgery: systematic review. BJS Open 2023; 7:7000436. [PMID: 36694387 PMCID: PMC9874030 DOI: 10.1093/bjsopen/zrac159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Informed consent is an ethical and legal requirement in healthcare and supports patient autonomy to make informed choices about their own care. This review explores the impact of digital technology for informed consent in surgery. METHODS A systematic search of EBSCOhost (MEDLINE/CINAHL), Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Web of Science was performed in November 2021. All RCTs comparing outcomes of both digital and non-digital (standard) consent in surgery were included. Each included study underwent an evaluation of methodological quality using the Cochrane risk of bias (2.0) tool. Outcomes assessed included comprehension, level of satisfaction and anxiety, and feasibility of digital interventions in practice. RESULTS A total of 40 studies, across 13 countries and 15 surgical specialties were included in this analysis. Digital consent interventions used active patient participation and passive patient participation in 15 and 25 studies respectively. Digital consent had a positive effect on early comprehension in 21 of 30 (70 per cent) studies and delayed comprehension in 9 of 20 (45 per cent) studies. Only 16 of 38 (42 per cent) studies assessed all four elements of informed consent: general information, risks, benefits, and alternatives. Most studies showed no difference in satisfaction or anxiety. A minority of studies reported on feasibility of digital technology in practice. CONCLUSION Digital technologies in informed consent for surgery were found to have a positive effect on early comprehension, without any negative effect on satisfaction or anxiety. It is recommended that future studies explore the feasibility of these applications for vulnerable patient groups and busy surgical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aoife Kiernan
- Correspondence to: Aoife Kiernan, RCSI Main Building, 123 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (e-mail: )
| | - Brian Fahey
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Shaista S Guraya
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland—Bahrain, Busaiteen, Bahrain
| | - Fiona Boland
- Data Science Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Daragh Moneley
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Frank Doyle
- Department of Health Psychology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Denis W Harkin
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
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Pico-Camacho AJ, Vega-Peña NV. La comunicación en el consentimiento informado. REVISTA COLOMBIANA DE CIRUGÍA 2022. [DOI: 10.30944/20117582.2147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Introducción. El consentimiento informado es un elemento importante en la relación médico-paciente, que involucra la trasmisión de un mensaje. En este contexto, se describe la teoría de la comunicación implícita en un consentimiento informado, las barreras para una transmisión adecuada del mensaje, la responsabilidad en la comunicación y los requisitos para el logro de estos propósitos. El objetivo fue analizar de forma reflexiva los procesos de comunicación surtidos y necesarios durante su diligenciamiento, con algunas propuestas factibles de implementar.
Discusión. El proceso comunicativo implica evaluar la calidad, el contexto, la intencionalidad, la pedagogía y la recepción-emisión del mensaje. La naturaleza de la actividad quirúrgica requiere el perfeccionamiento de la comunicación como una competencia necesaria en los cirujanos. Se señalan oportunidades de mejoramiento para una adecuada ejecución de esta habilidad no técnica, habitualmente no contemplada en la formación médica.
Conclusiones. El consentimiento informado es un acto que trasciende a la transmisión de la información y es el resultado de un proceso complejo, que involucra habilidades comunicativas. Su efectividad se deriva de una toma de decisiones respaldada por el entendimiento claro de la situación y del procedimiento a efectuar. Existen puntos críticos durante su realización que podrían ser objeto de intervenciones futuras, desde esta perspectiva comunicativa.
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Treff NR, Savulescu J, de Melo-Martín I, Shulman LP, Feinberg EC. Should preimplantation genetic testing for polygenic disease be offered to all - or none? Fertil Steril 2022; 117:1162-1167. [PMID: 35513906 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2022.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan R Treff
- Genomic Prediction Inc., North Brunswick, New Jersey; Department of Obstetrics Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Julian Savulescu
- Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Biomedical Ethics Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Lee P Shulman
- Feinberg School of Medicine-Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois; Reproductive Genetics Innovations, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Eve C Feinberg
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.
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Rozeboom PD, Bronsert MR, Velopulos CG, Henderson WG, Colborn KL, Hammermeister KE, Lambert-Kerzner A, Hall MG, McIntyre RC, Meguid RA. A comparison of the new, parsimonious tool Surgical Risk Preoperative Assessment System (SURPAS) to the American College of Surgeons (ACS) risk calculator in emergency surgery. Surgery 2020; 168:1152-1159. [DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2020.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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