The Role of the Nurse in Informed Consent to Treatments: An Observational-Descriptive Study in the Padua Hospital

The Role of the Nurse in Informed Consent to Treatments: An Observational-Descriptive Study in the Padua Hospital
Veronica Strini, Roberta Schiavolin, Angela Prendin
Clinics and Practice, 2021; 11(3) pp 472-483
Open Access
Abstract
Background
The process to obtain valid informed consent in healthcare reflects many aspects. Healthcare professionals that take care of the patient must provide him all the necessary information and verify his understanding, considering individual characteristics. Nurses are one of the main participants in this process.
Objective
This study assesses nurses’ perceptions of their role in the informed consent process. Material and
Methods
An observational study involving 300 nurses operating in 13 wards of the Padua Hospital, through the submitting of a questionnaire in the period November–December 2018.
Results
The final sample is made up of 206 nurses—27 males (13.11%) and 179 females (86.89%). Work experience, on average 15 years, is significant in determining the answers to questions about opinions and experiences. Age is significant in determining how often nurses provide information to the patient’s family members about the actions to be taken after discharge. The ward was decisive in the responses related to information provided to patients on the nursing care level and the actions to be taken after discharge, and the definition of the nurse’s duties.
Conclusions
The data collected show the need for interventions to reduce the causes of difficult that the nurse has in informing patients.