Title: Informed consent – A Survey among Anaesthesiologists in South India
Authors: Dr Frenny Ann Philip, MD, Dr Radhika Devi Brahamanandan, MD, Dr Rachel Cherian Koshy, MD, Dr Jagathnath Krishna, K M, PhD
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v7i3.188
Abstract
The practice of obtaining consent prior to conducting any procedure is necessary. The manner of obtaining consent varies between different individuals and institutions. We conducted a survey to find out the nature of consent and the actual procedure practiced while obtaining it. A prepared questionnaire was distributed among the participants and responses were noted. Various conferences conducted in south India over a period of six months from November 2017 to February 2018.Both consultant anaesthesiologists and post graduate trainees participated in this survey. As it was a survey no interventions were done. The results were analysed with frequency Anaesthesia consent was considered to be separate from surgery consent by majority of respondents. The method of obtaining consent and nature of consent varied from institute to institute. Though a small minority had been involved in medicolegal cases it was not due to inadequacy of consent Consent is a vital document in the process of anaesthetizing a patient for surgery. Anaesthesia consent is the unique domain of anesthesiologist and a separate anaesthesia consent taken by the attending anaesthesiologist after explaining the pros and cons of different anaesthesia techniques is the need of the hour.
Highlights
- Survey among practicing anaesthesiologists regarding practice of obtaining consent.
- Importance of consent as a medicolegal document
- Need for a separate anaesthesia consent form
- Need to explain pros and cons of various anaesthesia techniques especially in high risk cases.
Keywords: Informed consent, Anaesthesiologist, South India, Survey.
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