The consent process in interventional radiology: the role of specialist nurses.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the impact of patient education by specialist nurses on patients' understanding of interventional procedures, their anxiety levels and satisfaction with the given information.


METHODS
Sixty patients attending the radiology department for gastrointestinal interventional procedures were interviewed. Patients were assessed using a combination of categorical and visual analogue scales. Parameters were assessed on admission and after additional information had been given by specialist nurses. After the procedure patients were asked to rate the quality of information given and their overall satisfaction.


RESULTS
Four of the 60 patients were excluded due to a Mini Mental Test score of <7. Only 35 (62.5%) claimed to have been given information by the referring consultant. Fifty-three patients received additional information before formally giving consent, 50 (96.2%) from the specialist nurses. Patient anxiety before and after information did not significantly change (p=0.52) but there was significant improvement in levels of satisfaction (p=0.001) and perceived understanding (p<0.001). Patients rated overall quality of information at an average of 9.2/10 and overall satisfaction was high (median=9.1/10).


CONCLUSIONS
The use of specialist nurses to educate patients greatly increases patient understanding. The process of informed consent is improved and patient satisfaction is increased.
Davies
L
L
Academic Department of Gastrointestinal Radiology, South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust, Preston, UK.
Laasch
H-U
HU
Wilbraham
L
L
Marriott
A
A
England
R E
RE
Martin
D F
DF
D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D009720:Nurse Clinicians; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000451:nursing*