title: Patient consent to observation. Responses to requests for written consent in an academic family practice unit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine patient rates of consent to observation and response to being asked for written consent.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were asked to provide written consent for a supervising physician to observe a resident performing a physical examination, or for both direct observation and videotaping of the visit. After the visit, all patients were interviewed, and patients who had given written consent completed a questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  The family practice unit at a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.
  
  
  METHODS
  A representative sample of new and returning patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patient consent to observation or videotaping.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most patients (92.2%) agreed to be observed. Of those asked only for consent to observe, 97.3% agreed. Of those asked for consent to observe and videotape, 85.2% agreed. When specifically asked, 22% of patients who agreed to observation expressed concerns.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We must devise clear policies and procedures for obtaining patient consent that are both sensitive to patients' concerns and administratively effective.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine, Toronto Hospital.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Shafir
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Silversides
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Waters
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: MacRury
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Becker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004282:Documentation; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010808:Physical Examination; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014743:Videotape Recording