Impact of risk information in a patient education leaflet

Informed consent requires the communication of information about possible a dverse effects of treatment. Health professionals have expressed concern th at increased provision of risk information may make patients unduly anxious and change their decisions about treatment. This study compared two patien t leaflets about laparoscopy, one containing detailed information about pot ential side effects. Forty one consenting participants attending an outpati ent gynaecology clinic and scheduled for an elective laparoscopic procedure were studied. They were randomly assigned to receive one of two leaflets a fter their consultation. Knowledge about laparoscopy, satisfaction with inf ormation provided, and anxiety were tested 2 days later, between the origin al consultation and their operation. Results showed that the leaflet contai ning detailed risk information was associated with greater knowledge about laparoscopy, higher satisfaction with information provision and no increase in anxiety. Provision of detailed information about possible adverse conse quences of treatment can improve patients' understanding and satisfaction w ithout inducing increased anxiety. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. A ll rights reserved.