CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Indian J Plast Surg 2016; 49(01): 72-75
DOI: 10.4103/0970-0358.182246
Original Article
Association of Plastic Surgeons of India

An audit cycle of consent form completion: A useful tool to improve junior doctor training

Catherine Leng
The Sheffield Hand Centre, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S5 7AU, UK
,
Kavita Sharma
The Sheffield Hand Centre, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S5 7AU, UK
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Address for correspondence:

Dr. Kavita Sharma
The Sheffield Hand Centre, Northern General Hospital
Herries Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S5 7AU
UK   

Publication History

Publication Date:
13 August 2019 (online)

 

ABSTRACT

Background: Consent for surgical procedures is an essential part of the patient's pathway. Junior doctors are often expected to do this, especially in the emergency setting. As a result, the aim of our audit was to assess our practice in consenting and institute changes within our department to maintain best medical practice. Methods: An audit of consent form completion was conducted in March 2013. Standards were taken from Good Surgical Practice (2008) and General Medical Council guidelines. Inclusion of consent teaching at a formal consultant delivered orientation programme was then instituted. A re-audit was completed to reassess compliance. Results: Thirty-seven consent forms were analysed. The re-audit demonstrated an improvement in documentation of benefits (91–100%) and additional procedures (0–7.5%). Additional areas for improvement such as offering a copy of the consent form to the patient and confirmation of consent if a delay occurred between consenting and the procedure were identified. Conclusion: The re-audit demonstrated an improvement in the consent process. It also identified new areas of emphasis that were addressed in formal teaching sessions. The audit cycle can be a useful tool in monitoring, assessing and improving clinical practice to ensure the provision of best patient care.


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Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

  • REFERENCES

  • 1 The Royal College of Surgeons. Good Surgical Practice; London: 2014. [Last cited on 2015 Jan 06]
  • 2 Department of Health. Reference Guide to Consent for Examination or Treatment; 2nd ed.. London: 2009. [Last cited on 2015 Jan 06]
  • 3 World Health Organization. Surgical Safety Checklist. 2009 [Last cited on 2015 Jan 06]
  • 4 Bhattacharyya T, Yeon H, Harris MB. The medical-legal aspects of informed consent in orthopaedic surgery. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2005; 87: 2395-400
  • 5 Jeyaseelan L, Ward J, Papanna M, Sundararajan S. Quality of consent form completion in orthopaedics: Are we just going through the motions?. J Med Ethics 2010; 36: 407-8

Address for correspondence:

Dr. Kavita Sharma
The Sheffield Hand Centre, Northern General Hospital
Herries Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S5 7AU
UK   

  • REFERENCES

  • 1 The Royal College of Surgeons. Good Surgical Practice; London: 2014. [Last cited on 2015 Jan 06]
  • 2 Department of Health. Reference Guide to Consent for Examination or Treatment; 2nd ed.. London: 2009. [Last cited on 2015 Jan 06]
  • 3 World Health Organization. Surgical Safety Checklist. 2009 [Last cited on 2015 Jan 06]
  • 4 Bhattacharyya T, Yeon H, Harris MB. The medical-legal aspects of informed consent in orthopaedic surgery. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2005; 87: 2395-400
  • 5 Jeyaseelan L, Ward J, Papanna M, Sundararajan S. Quality of consent form completion in orthopaedics: Are we just going through the motions?. J Med Ethics 2010; 36: 407-8