Survey of Informed Consent Procedures in Urology
Juliana Kim, Arnav Srivastava, Alexandra Tabakin, Eric A Singer
Journal of the American College of Surgeons, November 2022; 235(5)
Abstract
Introduction
The American Urological Association and American College of Surgeons codes of professionalism require surgeons to disclose the specific roles and responsibilities of trainees to patients during the informed consent process. This study analyzes how these requirements are met by urology training programs.
Method
An anonymous electronic survey was distributed to the program directors (PDs) of the 143 ACGME urology residency programs in the US in 2021. Responses were procured during 3 months. Information was collected regarding program demographics, aspects of the program’s consent process, and the disclosure of the role and participation of residents to patients.
Result
Of 143 distributed surveys, 30.0% (n = 43) received a response. Of responding PDs, 67.4% reported that attending physicians lead the consent process. The topics covered during consent discussion include possible complications (25.1%), expected recovery time (22.8%), length of the surgery (22.2%), the people involved (18.0%), and their specific roles (7.2%). Of PDs, 48.8% and 87.8% of do not explicitly discuss trainee involvement or when a resident performs the majority of the case, respectively (Figure). Of PDs, 78.8% do not communicate medical student involvement. Of PDs, 73.2% reported having a patient decline participation of a trainee after describing their role.
Conclusion
Despite the American Urological Association and American College of Surgeons codes of professionalism, many urologists involved in the training of residents may not disclose resident participation in surgery to patients. Further discussions are needed to explore how to better balance resident education while strengthening the informed consent process.

How I Learned is How I Teach – Perspectives on How Faculty Surgeons Approach Informed Consent Education
Erin M. White, Andrew C. Esposito, Vadim Kurbatov, Xujun Wang, Michael G. Caty, Maxwell Laurans, Peter S. Yoo
Journal of Surgical Education, 15 October 2022
Abstract
Objective
To understand the variability of surgical attending experience and perspectives regarding informed consent and how it impacts resident education
Design
A novel survey was distributed electronically to explore faculty surgeon’s personal learning experience, knowledge, clinical practice, teaching preferences and beliefs regarding informed consent. Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis testing was performed to look for associations and a cluster analysis was performed to elucidate additional patterns among.
Setting
Single, tertiary, university-affiliated health care system (Yale New Haven Health in Connecticut), including 6 teaching hospitals.
Participants
Clinical faculty within the Department of Surgery.
Results
A total of 85 surgeons responded (49% response rate), representing 17 specialties, both private practice and university and/or hospital-employed, with a range of years in practice. Across all ages, specialties, the most common method for both learning (86%) and teaching (82%) informed consent was observation of the attending. Respondents who stated they learned by observing attendings were more likely to report that they teach by having trainees observe them (OR 8.5, 95% CI 1.3-56.5) and participants who recalled learning by having attendings observe them were more likely to observe their trainees (OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.5-11.2).Cluster analysis revealed 5 different attending phenotypes with significant heterogeneity between groups. A cluster of younger attendings reported the least diverse learning experience and high levels of concern for legal liability and resident competency. They engaged in few strategies for teaching residents. By comparison, the cluster that reported the most diverse learning experience also reported the richest diversity of teaching strategies to residents but rarely allowed residents to perform consent with their patients. Meanwhile, 2 other cluster provided a more balanced experience with some opportunities for practice with patients and some diversity of teaching– these clusters, respectively, consist of older, experienced general surgeons and surgeons in trauma and/or critical care.
Conclusions
Surgeon’s demographics, personal experiences, and specialty appear to significantly influence their teaching styles and the educational experience residents receive regarding informed consent.

Informed consent for psychotherapy: Ethical illusion or clinical reality? A survey about psychotherapists’ attitudes and practices in Germany
Leonie Gerke, Ann-Katrin Meyrose, Yvonne Nestoriuc
Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 10 October 2022
Abstract
Objective
This study aimed to assess clinicians’ attitudes and their current clinical practices regarding informed consent for psychotherapy.
Method
A convenience sample of N = 530 clinicians in Germany (n = 418 licensed psychotherapists and n = 112 postgraduate psychotherapy trainees) took part in an online survey.
Results
Most clinicians (84%) reported obtaining informed consent for psychotherapy in their daily routine. However, many psychotherapists felt unsure about satisfactorily fulfilling the legal (63%) and ethical obligations (52%). The two most frequently reported components of information disclosure related to explaining the terms and conditions of psychotherapy (96%) and the psychotherapeutic approach (91%). Providing information about mechanisms of psychotherapy (33%) and the role of expectations (30%) were least practiced. One in five psychotherapists reported not informing clients about potential risks and side effects. A considerable proportion reported concern about inducing anxiety in patients by disclosing information about risks and side effects (52%).
Conclusions
Although obtaining informed consent for psychotherapy seems to be the rule rather than the exception in clinical practice, the quality of its implementation in terms of legal, ethical and clinical demands remains questionable. Training psychotherapists in providing comprehensive informed consent enables informed decision-making and might have a positive influence on treatment expectations and outcomes.

Subtotal Cholecystectomy Results in High Peri-operative Morbidity and Its Risk-Profile Should be Emphasised During Consent
Original Scientific Report
James Lucocq, David Hamilton, John Scollay, Pradeep Patil
World Journal of Surgery, 8 October 2022
Open Access
Abstract
Background
Subtotal cholecystectomy aims to reduce the likelihood of bile duct injury but risks a multitude of less severe, yet significant complications. The primary aim of the present study was to report peri-operative outcomes of subtotal laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SLC) relative to total laparoscopic cholecystectomy (TLC) to inform the consent process.
Method
All laparoscopic cholecystectomies between 2015 and 2020 in one health board were included. The peri-operative outcomes of SLC (n = 87) and TLC (n = 2650) were reported. Pre-operative variables were compared between the two groups to identify risk factors for SLC. The outcomes between the SLC and TLC were compared using univariate, multivariate and propensity analysis.
Results
Risk factors for SLC included higher age, male gender, cholecystitis, increased biliary admissions, ERCP, cholecystostomy and emergency cholecystectomy. Following SLC, rates of post-operative complication (45.9%), imaging (37.9%) intervention (28.7%) and readmission (29.9%) were significant. The risk profile was vastly heightened compared to that of TLC: intra-operative complications (RR 9.0; p < 0.001), post-operative complications [bile leak (RR 58.9; p < 0.001), collection (RR 12.2; p < 0.001), retained stones (RR 7.2; p < 0.001) and pneumonia (RR 5.4; p < 0.001)], post-operative imaging (RR 4.4; p < 0.001), post-operative intervention (RR 12.3; p < 0.001), prolonged PLOS (RR 11.3; p < 0.001) and readmission (RR 4.5; p < 0.001). The findings were consistent using multivariate logistic regression and propensity analysis.
Conclusion
The relative morbidity associated with SLC is significant and high-risk patients should be counselled for the peri-operative morbidity of subtotal cholecystectomy.

Understanding consent for surgery and for treatment in orthopaedics
Editorial
Vane Antolič, Marius M. Scarlat
International Orthopaedics, 30 September 2022; 46 pp 2459–2460
Open Access
Excerpt
Consenting to treatment implies that a person gives permission before receiving any type of medical care, test or examination. The Consent protects the doctor from the accusation of an “unwanted touch”. Surgery is a complex medical act involving treatments, acts, and manoeuvres that could be harmful, although they are expected to be beneficial and amend positively the patient’s health. Prior to obtaining consent for the proposed succession of acts, the surgeon must provide the patient with information about the nature of the treatment, the expected benefits, material risks and adverse effects, alternate treatments, and the consequences of not having the surgery. Consent for surgery has become a critical component of surgical practice and is of increasing importance and must be updated with patient and legal expectations. For consent to be valid, it must be voluntary and informed, and the person consenting must have the capacity to make the decision. The principle of consent is an important part of medical ethics and international human rights law.

How do patients benefit from consent?
Robert Wheeler
The Bulletin, 30 September 2022; 104(7) pp 364-365
Abstract
Our legal contributor discusses how gaining consent for treatment, and the importance of discussing all alternatives available to a patient, is vital to maintaining good practice.

Editor’s note: The Bulletin is published by the Royal College of Surgeons of England.