Informed consent in anesthesiology: an exploratory study

Authors

  • Bárbara Fontes Department of Community Medicine, Information and Decision in Health of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto
  • Sílvia Marina Department of Community Medicine, Information and Decision in Health of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto
  • Diana Andrade Portuguese Institute for Oncology of Porto
  • Sofia Dias Portuguese Institute for Oncology of Porto
  • Miguel Ricou Department of Community Medicine, Information and Decision in Health of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto

Abstract

In the literature Informed consent (IC) assumptions is well established. However, the different stages and the conditions under which the IC for anesthetic practices is obtained, is scarce. The aim of the present study is to explore the phases and conditions of IC in anesthesiology. Anonymized clinical records of 325 patients submitted to anesthetic procedures at the Institute of Oncology of Porto were analyzed. A total agreement between the anesthetic techniques established in the IC and those performed, was reach with 270 patients. The importance of IC in clinical practice is discussed and an ideal process for IC is argued.

Keywords:

informed consent, ethics, anesthesiology, anesthesia techniques, exploratory study