An assessment of the process of informed consent at the University Hospital of the West Indies.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the adequacy of the process of informed consent for surgical patients at the University Hospital of the West Indies.


METHODS
The study is a prospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study. 210 patients at the University Hospital of the West Indies were interviewed using a standardised investigator-administered questionnaire, developed by the authors, after obtaining witnessed, informed consent for participation in the study. Data were analysed using SPSS V.12 for Windows.


RESULTS
Of the patients, 39.4% were male. Of the surgical procedures, 68.6% were scheduled, 7.6% urgent and 23.8% emergency, 35.2% were minor and 64.8% major. Information imparted/received was acceptable in 40% of cases, good in 24% and inadequate (unacceptable) in 36% of cases. Almost all (97.6%) patients stated that they understood why an operation was planned and 93.3% thought that they had given informed consent. Most (95.2%) thought that they had free choice and made up their own mind. A quarter (25.2%) of all patients were told that it was mandatory for them to sign the form. There was a discussion of possible side effects and complications in 56.7% of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
This study clearly indicates that surgical patients at the University Hospital of the West Indies feel that they have given informed consent. However, it also suggests that more information should be given to patients for consent to be truly informed.
Barnett
A T
AT
Division of Anaesthesia, Department of Surgery, Radiology, Anaesthesia & Intensive Care, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica. alanbarnett777@gmail.com
Crandon
I
I
Lindo
J F
JF
Gordon-Strachan
G
G
Robinson
D
D
Ranglin
D
D
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000941:ethics / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000941:ethics; D014900:West Indies