An audit cycle of consent form completion: A useful tool to improve junior doctor training

Background: Consent for surgical procedures is an essential part of the patient's pathway. Junior doctors are often expected to do this, especially in the emergency setting. As a result, the aim of our audit was to assess our practice in consenting and institute changes within our department to...

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Main Authors: Catherine Leng, Kavita Sharma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt. Ltd. 2016-01-01
Series:Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.4103/0970-0358.182246
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author Catherine Leng
Kavita Sharma
author_facet Catherine Leng
Kavita Sharma
author_sort Catherine Leng
collection DOAJ
description Background: Consent for surgical procedures is an essential part of the patient's pathway. Junior doctors are often expected to do this, especially in the emergency setting. As a result, the aim of our audit was to assess our practice in consenting and institute changes within our department to maintain best medical practice. Methods: An audit of consent form completion was conducted in March 2013. Standards were taken from Good Surgical Practice (2008) and General Medical Council guidelines. Inclusion of consent teaching at a formal consultant delivered orientation programme was then instituted. A re-audit was completed to reassess compliance. Results: Thirty-seven consent forms were analysed. The re-audit demonstrated an improvement in documentation of benefits (91–100%) and additional procedures (0–7.5%). Additional areas for improvement such as offering a copy of the consent form to the patient and confirmation of consent if a delay occurred between consenting and the procedure were identified. Conclusion: The re-audit demonstrated an improvement in the consent process. It also identified new areas of emphasis that were addressed in formal teaching sessions. The audit cycle can be a useful tool in monitoring, assessing and improving clinical practice to ensure the provision of best patient care.
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spelling doaj-art-31b26cf5124d402bb558ac66f67db99f2025-08-20T03:18:39ZengThieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt. Ltd.Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery0970-03581998-376X2016-01-014901727510.4103/0970-0358.182246An audit cycle of consent form completion: A useful tool to improve junior doctor trainingCatherine Leng0Kavita Sharma1The Sheffield Hand Centre, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S5 7AU, UKThe Sheffield Hand Centre, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S5 7AU, UKBackground: Consent for surgical procedures is an essential part of the patient's pathway. Junior doctors are often expected to do this, especially in the emergency setting. As a result, the aim of our audit was to assess our practice in consenting and institute changes within our department to maintain best medical practice. Methods: An audit of consent form completion was conducted in March 2013. Standards were taken from Good Surgical Practice (2008) and General Medical Council guidelines. Inclusion of consent teaching at a formal consultant delivered orientation programme was then instituted. A re-audit was completed to reassess compliance. Results: Thirty-seven consent forms were analysed. The re-audit demonstrated an improvement in documentation of benefits (91–100%) and additional procedures (0–7.5%). Additional areas for improvement such as offering a copy of the consent form to the patient and confirmation of consent if a delay occurred between consenting and the procedure were identified. Conclusion: The re-audit demonstrated an improvement in the consent process. It also identified new areas of emphasis that were addressed in formal teaching sessions. The audit cycle can be a useful tool in monitoring, assessing and improving clinical practice to ensure the provision of best patient care.http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.4103/0970-0358.182246audit cycleconsent form completionconsenting in surgeryjunior doctor training
spellingShingle Catherine Leng
Kavita Sharma
An audit cycle of consent form completion: A useful tool to improve junior doctor training
Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery
audit cycle
consent form completion
consenting in surgery
junior doctor training
title An audit cycle of consent form completion: A useful tool to improve junior doctor training
title_full An audit cycle of consent form completion: A useful tool to improve junior doctor training
title_fullStr An audit cycle of consent form completion: A useful tool to improve junior doctor training
title_full_unstemmed An audit cycle of consent form completion: A useful tool to improve junior doctor training
title_short An audit cycle of consent form completion: A useful tool to improve junior doctor training
title_sort audit cycle of consent form completion a useful tool to improve junior doctor training
topic audit cycle
consent form completion
consenting in surgery
junior doctor training
url http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.4103/0970-0358.182246
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