Murphy, KShafiq, ACorrigan, M ARedmond, H P2012-07-102012-07-102011-09A descriptive study of consent documentation. 2011, 104 (8):238-40 Ir Med J0332-310222125877http://hdl.handle.net/10147/232971The aim of this study was to observe the error rate in the consent process of a university hospital and to illicit the opinions of the consenting doctors on the process. A prospective observational review of theatre consent forms was performed along with an anonymous survey of non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHD's). No potential risks were documented in 95.3% of the 64 scrutinized consents and late alterations were required in 9%. Respondents to the NCHD survey estimated that they were unsure of the procedure or risks involved in an average of 29% of occasions. Interns admitted to being unsure of the details of the procedure in almost a third (32%) of cases, making them less well informed than their senior colleagues (p=0.024). This study highlights the difficulties encountered by consenting doctors, an issue which may lead to patient dissatisfaction, threaten the efficient running of a surgical unit and potentially expose its staff to avoidable litigation. It also recommends the use of multimedia adjuncts to facilitate both patient and doctor education in the consent process.enArchived with thanks to Irish medical journalDocumentationHospitals, UniversityHumansInformed ConsentInternship and ResidencyIrelandMultimediaPhysician's Practice PatternsProspective StudiesQuestionnairesArticleIrish medical journal