Informed consent in ENT. Patient's judgement about a specific consensus form.

The concept of informed consent was first used in the 60's. The meaning of this term is the need of a preliminary and valid consensus that places the doctor in an authorised condition whereby he is able to carry out his work. Notwithstanding the importance and delicacy of this topic and the potentially serious consequences, there is not, as yet, universal behaviour, on the part of doctors, regarding the mode of information and documentation on how the patient be informed. In a previous article, the authors outlined the best approach, on the part of the doctor in regard to the patient, in order to obtain valid informed consent. In particular, the specific information for each disease was proposed and this was not limited only to aspects related to type of treatment and possible risks, but thorough, with regard to adhering to the logical course (case history, objective tests, instrumental diagnosis carried out, etc.) that led the doctor to a certain diagnosis and a description of the proposed treatment possibilities as well as the treatment modalities excluded, with relative reasons. The study was designed in such a way as to define the degree of acceptance that this informative method has on the patients. This was achieved by means of a questionnaire filled in by 254 patients hospitalised in our department, about to undergo surgery. Judgement was substantially positive, in that, > 70% of patients agreed that the information was quite or very good, and 90% considered it sufficient or better. This demonstrates that even those subjects who received little information, were, in fact, satisfied with that given. The patient/doctor relationship was also judged positive. The patients felt that it was important to be kept informed about their condition, regardless of the form (written or spoken). In conclusion, the outcome of the questionnaire demonstrates the appreciation. on the part of the patients, regarding the procedure of information used in seeking consensus.