MedPath

Interactive Informed Consent and Decision Conflict

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Upper Extremity Problem
Interventions
Other: Standard consent
Other: Interactive consent
Registration Number
NCT05980078
Lead Sponsor
University of Texas at Austin
Brief Summary

Informed consent for surgery can address the legal aspects while also being simple, informative, and empathic. It can help people confirm that the potential harms are acceptable in light of the potential benefits. Standard consent forms just document this process, while a computer-based, interactive consent process can also standardize and potentially enhance it.

Detailed Description

It's not clear that the current informed consent process adequately addresses common misconceptions and adequately confirms patient understanding of potential harms and potential benefits. Thoughtful patient consideration of potential benefits and potential harms of surgery might be facilitated by a step-by-step, iterative, interactive electronic consent process designed to help patients: 1) become aware of their values, 2) understand the actual and potential harms of surgery, 3) understand the potential benefits of surgery, and 4) guide people away from common misconceptions and towards decisions based on their values.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
94
Inclusion Criteria
  1. English and Spanish-speaking adults
  2. Older than 18 years of age
  3. One of six common upper extremity conditions including carpal tunnel release, cubital tunnel release, trigger finger release, plate and screw fixation of a distal radius fracture, removal of a benign lump including a ganglion cyst, and Dupuytren contracture release.
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Exclusion Criteria

People with cognitive deficits were excluded.

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Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Standard written consentStandard consentThey were randomized to complete a standard written consent
Interactive consentInteractive consentThey were randomized to complete an interactive consent
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Decision Conflict Scalethrough study completion, an average of 6 months

The Decision Conflict Scale consists of sixteen 4- point items regarding comfort with decision-making.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Jefferson Scale of Patient's Perceptions of Physician Empathythrough study completion, an average of 6 months

The Jefferson Scale of Patient's Perceptions of Physician Empathy includes five 7-point scale questions and higher scores indicated greater perceived clinician empathy.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Texas Health Austin (UTHA)

🇺🇸

Austin, Texas, United States

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