IMpact of sImulation-based Training of Anaesthesia residenTs on Informed cONsent process (IMITATION study)

Background :

Informed consent is a fundamental principal in the health care context which includes the patient’s capacity to be involved in the decision making concerning their care that ensures that the care received reflects their goals, preferences and values. If the elements of voluntariness, appropriate information and capacity have not been satisfied, a signed informed consent form will not make the consent valid. Hence, the informed consent refers both to the health professional’s obligation of information disclosure to the patient and to the quality of the patient’s understanding and decision making

Informed consent is composed of three components: preconditions, information, and consent.

“Preconditions” in this context means that a patient is competent as well as willing to grant consent for the proposed medical treatment. To exercise this right, the patient should possess the capacity to make such decisions and must be able to decide without being influenced by other individuals, which includes medical personnel.

The second component of informed consent is “information”. As per the World Health Organisation (WHO) resolution on the promotion of patients’ rights, patients have the right to receive full knowledge regarding the status of their health. This includes their current medical condition, information about the suggested medical procedure, any risks and benefits associated with the said procedure, and any possible alternatives to the planned procedure. The patient should also be educated about the possible effects on their health should they refuse to proceed with the proposed treatment. The process of informed consent should also include a definite care plan including the physician’s advice, and it must be ensured that the patient has successfully comprehended the information shared with them.

Taking informed consent is a fundamental skill expected to be mastered by anaesthesia residents during their training period. Informed consent forms a component of the anaesthesia patient care competency within the pre-anaesthetic evaluation, assessment, and preparation. Studies have shown that consent discussions are usually incomplete. These shortcomings of insufficient consent discussion are often responsible for increased litigation.

Aim : To assess the impact of training in the process of consent taking for anaesthesia

Objectives:

1. Assessment of impact of consent training on practices regarding anaesthesia consent process of the whole study population
2. Assessment of impact of consent training on practices regarding anaesthesia consent process of the individual study participants
3. Assessment of existent practices regarding anaesthesia consent process
4. Correlation between clinical experience and quality of anaesthesia consent process

Correlation between clinical experience and degree of improvement in quality of anaesthesia consent process.

We aim to assess the residents on their baseline level of consent taking for Anaesthesia, train them and evaluate the impact of the training given to them.