Original scientific paper
Knowledge and Practices of Obtaining Informed Consent for Medical Procedures among Specialist Physicians: Questionnaire Study in 6 Croatian Hospitals
Marko Jukić
; Deepartment of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Split University Hospital Center, Split, Croatia
Slavica Kvolik
; Department of Anesthesiology and Intensice Care, Osijek, Croatia
Goran Kardum
; Department of Neuroscience, University of Split, School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
Slavica Kozina
; Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Split, School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
Ana Tomić Juraga
; Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive CARE, General Hospital Varaždin, Croatia
Abstract
Aim To assess physicians’ knowledge and practices for obtaining
patients’ informed consent to medical procedures.
Methods An anonymous and voluntary survey of knowledge
and practices for obtaining informed consent was
conducted among 470 physicians (63% response rate)
working in 6 hospitals: 93 specialists in anesthesiology, 166
in internal medicine, and 211 in surgery.
Results Only 54% physicians were acquainted with the
fact that the procedure for obtaining consent was regulated
by the law. Internists and surgeons were better informed
than anesthesiologists (P = 0.024). More than a half
of respondents (66%) were familiar with the fact that a law
on patient rights was passed in Croatia; there were no differences
among different specialties (P = 0.638). Only 38%
of the physicians were fully informed about the procedure
of obtaining consent. Internists and surgeons provided detailed
information to the patient in 33% of the cases and
anesthesiologists in 16% of the cases (P < 0.050). Internists
reported spending more time on informing the patient
than anesthesiologists and surgeons (P < 0.001). There
were no differences in knowledge and practices for obtaining
informed consent between physicians working in university
and those working in community hospitals (P ≥ 0.05
for all questions).
Conclusion Physicians in Croatia have no formal education
on informed consent and implement the informed
consent process in a rather formal manner, regardless of
the type of hospital or medical specialty. Systemic approach
at education and training at the national level is
needed to improve the informed consent process.
Keywords
Informed Consent; Medical Specialties, Anesthesiology, Internal medicine; Specialties, Surgical; Croatia
Hrčak ID:
48555
URI
Publication date:
15.12.2009.
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