INFORMED CONSENT - WHAT DO PATIENTS WANT TO KNOW

Aim. To determine which aspects of informed consent are important to p atients and surgeons and to determine where there is disparity and sim ilarity. Method. A questionnaire was developed from the Disability Com missioner's Regulations (1996) and was administered to 256 patients an d 37 doctors at Christchurch Hospital. Results. According to patients the five most important aspects of informed consent were: (1) the majo r risks, (2) quality of life, (3) outcome, (4) consequences of not und ergoing the procedure and (5) quantity of life. The five most importan t aspects to the doctors were (1) the general nature of the procedure, (2) major risks, (3) consequences of not undergoing the procedure, (4 ) alternative options and (5) consequences of the procedure in regard to management. The aspects of informed consent of greatest divergence (power of divergence, p < 0.05) between patient and doctor were (1) th e importance of technical details of the procedure, (2) cost to the co untry, (3) qualifications of the doctor, (4) experimental and non-conv entional treatment options and (5) whether the doctor would have the p rocedure if they were in the position of the patient. Conclusions. Thi s study has identified aspects of informed consent that patients and d octors consider important, as well as aspects where there are signific ant differences. Both patients and doctors consider the explanations o f risks and complications important, especially if the complication is serious and risk is greater than 1 in 1000. Patients consider aspects of outcome (quantity and quality of life) important, while doctors ar e concerned about ''process'' including the general nature of the proc edure and consequences of the procedure for the patient's management. This study gives direction to medical practitioners concerning what it is that patient's are wanting to know during informed consent about a procedure.