An audit of patients′ views on consent and information in the endoscopy unit

Abstract Background and Objectives: There is paucity of literature about the views of patients on endoscopy practices. The present study was undertaken to determine the views of patients on consent and information in the endoscopy suite and to compare patients’ views about the environment of an endoscopy unit with the standard guidelines set out by British Society of Gastroenterology. Materials and Methods: A total of 103 patients were given an anonymous questionnaire about their views on endoscopy practice. The anonymous questionnaire comprising of seven items was developed. It addressed a range of issues regarding information, consent, and discussion of results. It was distributed by the endoscopy unit’s receptionist to consecutive patients attending for either a gastroscopy or lower intestinal procedure. Results: The majority of patients (63%) did not want to receive information prior to the procedure. In addition, only a minority (29%) wanted discussions about the test to be in private. Immediately before the procedure, 40% of patients wanted to discuss the test with doctors, 23% with nurses and less than 1% with another patient (Fisher exact test, P < .0009). Thirty-five percent of patients appeared not to want to discuss the test at all. A total of 87% of patients wished to sign consent forms immediately prior to the test rather than a day before hand. A total of 51% wanted to do this in the endoscopy room itself and only 45% wanted to sign a consent form in a separate room (c 2 = 1.05 n.s.). Conclusions: These views contrast strongly with the standards advocated by national societies and the accreditation boards for endoscopy units in the UK.