engleski

Knowledge and practices in obtaining informed consent for medical procedures among specialist physicians : questionnaire study in six Croatian hospitals

Aim was to assess the level of knowledge and practices regarding patient`s informed consent to medical procedures among physicians. An anonymous and voluntary survey of knowledge and practices regarding the process of obtaining informed consent was conducted among 470 physicians (63 % response rate) working in 6 hospitals: 93 specialists in anesthesiology, 166 in medicine and 211 in surgery. Only 54% physicians were acquainted with the fact that the process of obtaining consent for treatment was regulated by law. Internists and surgeons were better informed than anesthesiologists (P=0.024). More 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 doctors were fully informed about the procedure of obtaining consent for treatment. Internists and surgeons reported that they provided detailed information to the patient in 33% of the cases, whereas anesthesiologists gave detailed information 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 between physicians working in university or community hospitals (P≥0.005 for all questions). 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 standard of practices in patients’ informed consent procedures.

informed consent; medical specialties; anesthesiology; internal medicine; specialties; surgical; Croatia

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