[Informed consent at a primary care area].
OBJECTIVE
Assessment of the understanding and performance of informed consent by primary care doctors and people attending clinics (PAC) in Madrid Area 3.


METHODS
Descriptive cross-sectional study.


METHODS
The 20 health centres in Madrid Area 3.


METHODS
Doctors and PAC in Area 3.


RESULTS
It was a structured survey, validated by a pilot study. 98.7% of doctors stated that they informed their patients about illnesses; 91.8% on the risks and benefits. 90.6% and 78.6%, respectively, of the PAC said they were informed. Although 86.8% (CI 83.7-89.9) of the PAC thought they understood the information transmitted well, only 61% (CI 53.4-68.6) of the doctors thought so. 60.4% of the doctors and 54.6% of the PAC thought that the doctors' decisions took into account the patient's view. This was also the preferred option of both groups (46.5% and 59.3%). 29% of the doctors preferred greater power of decision for the patients, and only 16.06% of the PAC. 91.6% (CI 89.1-94.1) of the PAC were satisfied with the information received.


CONCLUSIONS
Doctors think they give information better than PAC think. Patients' understanding of the information is given a higher rating by the PAC than by the doctors. Decisions are habitually taken by the doctor, with the patient's views borne in mind. However, doctors would prefer patients to have greater decision-making power.
Herrero de Dios
A
A
Centro de Salud Reyes Magos, Madrid.
Reyes Martín
A
A
García Areces
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires