Patient Attitude to ‘Informed Consent’ in Cataract Surgery

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the attitudes of patients undergoing cataract surgery to the use of ‘Informed Consent’ forms. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study of patients' attitude to informed consent when undergoing cataract surgery. These patients were given the informed consent form 6 weeks prior to surgery and their attitude was evaluated using a questionnaire when attending the preoperative assessment clinic 2 weeks prior to surgery. SETTING: Ophthalmic Outpatient Department, Alexandra Hospital, Redditch. PATIENTS: 110 adult patients randomly selected prior to cataract surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient attitude to informed consent, its acceptance and value in cataract surgery. RESULTS: 88(/r of the patients thought that the information contained in the `informed consent' form was useful and should be routinely supplied prior to surgery; 36% expressed an increase in anxiety. However, even in these the majority preferred to be given the information. CONCLUSION: This study shows good patient understanding and acceptance of detailed written `informed consent'. This may not be a complete and perfect solution. However, in view of our results and also the medico-legal implications of informed consent, we feel the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.