Patient consent in seven medical-care institutions.
An exploratory study of the patient consent process was conducted in seven large medical-surgical institutions. Analysis of the most recent literature on consent and of data provided by knowledgeable persons in each facility led to the conclusions that (1) the primary intent of obtaining patient consent is to legally protect the hospital and the physician, (2) legal and educational objectives are confused and entangled in the consent process, (3) legal objectives are not adequately met in any facility, and (4) the potential for sophisticated patient education is dim given existing procedures.
D032882:Comprehension; D032962:Consent Forms; D003625:Data Collection; D030881:Disclosure; D006745:Hospital Bed Capacity, 300 to 499; D006746:Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over; D006761:Hospitals; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000592:standards*; D008824:Michigan; D010353:Patient Education as Topic