I
was reading an article about consent (consent forms) and what I read was
really interesting. The article talked about the consent forms which we sign
each time we are in the doctor’s office. Consent forms are signed when one gets
certain procedures done like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery. This
article focused on how much a patient can recall the information in each form
they sign. Basically it is an experiments of sort were the patients were to recall
major portions of the information on consent forms and also give an oral
explanation about their consent. Within one day of signing the consent forms,
200 patients completed a test of their recall of the material in the consent form.
They filled out a questionnaire regarding their opinions of its purpose,
content, and implications. Only 60 per cent understood the purpose and nature
of the procedure, and only 55 per cent correctly listed even one major risk or
complication. There were three factors that led inadequate recall: education,
medical status, and the care with which patients thought they had read their
consent forms before signing. Only 40 per cent of the patients had read the
form "carefully." Most people believed that consent forms were meant
to "protect the physician's rights." Although most thought that
consent forms were necessary and the information on it is easily
comprehensible. Most don’t see these forms with complete thought they just
glance and have look at the major or bold points. Also the physicians and other
medical professionals don’t really engage with the patients they do not give
all the info that they should be given. So the patients just assume. Also many
just don’t understand the lingo and terminology that is used in medicine. So
why is it that there is a problem with consent, there should be a change in the
medical system. There seems to be a lot of case that involve a physician being
sued by a patient just because the patient didn’t understand what was on the
form they were signing. I think it is in the best interest of the doctor that a
patient is completely aware of the procedure they are getting done. It not only
helps the medical professionals but the patients as well. That means the doctor
must completely go over the procedure and make sure the patient understands the
information. Also make sure the patient has the read the consent form with
complete thought and understands the form. So what do you guys think about this
issue?
I think it should be the responsibility of the patient or the guardian if the patient is not autonomous to make sure that they understand what all the consent form means. If he/she does not understand then they should consult the physician. When it comes to medical procedures, I agree that the physician should fully explain in layman terms because the patient will most likely not know.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you mostly on this issue. Going through a major medical procedure is really serious, and the patient knowing what is going on with their body is important. One of the problems with physicians is that they have many patients and don’t have enough time to actually sit down with the patient longer than five minutes to actually talk about what is going on with the patient’s health. However, this does not make it acceptable for the patient to go unaware with procedures that are being made about their health. The purpose of the informed consent form overall is to inform the patient of the procedure that will be done and risks that can occur from the procedures that are being made. Of course, the patient has the option to agree with the form by signing it, stating that they understand the entire process of the operation, or they may disagree by not signing the form. With that being said as Rachel stated, if the patient signs the form and is not completely aware of what they sign it is not only the physician’s fault, but also the patient that signed the form “assuming” that they understood the information that was provided.
ReplyDeleteLike Dr. J said in class, no one actually reads instructions or consent forms anymore. It takes too much effort and most people assume that they're not going to understand what it's talking about anyway. I think the nurses (or whomever is handing out the forms) should explain to the patient that they need to try to focus on the forms and stress that it is completely okay to ask questions if they don't understand. Doctors these days have so many patients to get through that they get mentally and physically exhausted from having to explain everything to everyone, so they need to be reminded that this is their job and the patient's understanding is very important. Patients also need to learn to speak up and not feel so intimidated by doctors. Lack of communication is a serious problem anywhere, but the public needs to be aware that THEY ultimately have control over their care.
ReplyDeleteThese are all really great point concerning consent forms, but I think we also need to consider the fact that there are infinitely many possible complications and risks associated with every procedure and it is in no way possible to actually calculate all of these and present them to a patient with equal consideration. Therefore you could go so far as to make an argument that no one can truly have a solid understanding of what they are consenting to ever. Also i would like to touch on the point that this consent procedure is a two-way road; with the patient actively wanting to have an adequate understanding of the details of the procedure, as well as the effective explanation by the medical professional to help the patient understand. Someone could quite simply have an "ignorance is bliss" mindset and think that the less they know the better, and thus not want to know as many details as others might concerning their procedure.
ReplyDeleteIts sad that people are too lazy these days to read consent forms. The forms could consent on losing your life and once it's is signed the doctor could technically kill you. Also for major surgeries the patient is obligated to know exactly what is going on. If I was getting a major surgery I would want to know exactly what the doctor is going to do to my body. I would run through the procedure with the doctor multiple times just for my reassurance.
ReplyDelete