Knowledge, attitude and perception of patients towards informed consent in obstetric surgical procedures at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital

The relationship between knowledge and perception of patients regarding informed consent in surgical procedures in Rwanda

“…11 More than half of the respondent (57.1%) took the informed consent as a must for undergoing operative procedure and this is contrary to findings where they were number of doubts about the implications of signing or not signing the consent form and they wondered if surgery can proceed when consent form is not signed. 17 Forty six percent thought they have no right to change their mind after signing the informed consent and 37.4% believed they have right and this is similar to findings by Sulaiman et al 5 Contrary, the findings are different from Singh et al which revealed 88% of the patients having no right to change their minds after signing the consent. 8 Forty-six per cent (46.9%) stated that their relatives can sign the consent form on their behalf and (43.5%) of patients believed that the operation cannot take place without informed consent.…”

“…However, the findings from a study done in Saudi Arabia revealed a large number of approximately 94% of respondents needing information regarding risks and complications regarding the procedure. 5 Contrary to Siddiqui et al study result where seventy percent of respondents were not interested on information about the risks and complications. 16 Fifty-six per cent (56.5%) of respondents needed information regarding postoperative care management which is somehow similar to Singh et al study findings where (43%) wanted post-operative care information.…”

“…4 The study done in Saudi Arabia revealed 48% of patients believing that they sign the consent because they thought the surgery would not be performed without signing and 42% thought they would destroy their relationship with their physician. 5 A survey conducted in Uganda at three university teaching hospitals has shown that patients 'knowledge towards informed consent are diverse and limited because some patients do not know even the identity of the surgeon or the reason for surgery. 6 Lack of patient's knowledge on surgical informed consent compromise shared decision making between the physician and the patient, increase the likelihood of a patient safety incident, patient anxiety and generally result in postoperative patient dissatisfaction.…”

“…8 Although studies show that surgical informed consent leads to positive postoperative outcome, study conducted in Nigeria showed that the patients had a positive attitude and know the informed consent as they are aware of it at 97.5% and stated that the patient understanding during informed consent process is highly related to the patient knowledge, religious beliefs and sociocultural factors as educated one are conscious of their rights and need to know what is being done on their body. 5 Educated patients are aware of their rights and are more likely to understand information provided in surgical informed consent process than uneducated patients. 5,9 Moreover, many patients do not fully understand their health diagnosis, treatment and possible risks because of limited knowledge, personal stress and cultural beliefs.…”

“…5 Educated patients are aware of their rights and are more likely to understand information provided in surgical informed consent process than uneducated patients. 5,9 Moreover, many patients do not fully understand their health diagnosis, treatment and possible risks because of limited knowledge, personal stress and cultural beliefs. 10 A study conducted on the role of education in the informed consent process revealed that as the patient's level of education increases the requirement of disclosing everything on the surgical process decreases representing 64.7% of patients with no formal education and 56% of patients with university level.…”