Writing information and consent prior to orthopaedic surgery

In Norway, the Code of Ethics for Doctors and the Patients' Rights Act require informed consent before surgery. Written information and consent may increase the patient's interest in clinical decision making but will also focus on the risks. This article investigates the attitude of two populations of patient to thorough information about the potential risks of surgery and their attitude to written information and consent. 91 patients accepted for total knee arthroplasty or arthroscopic acromioplasty were offered written information material, a consent form, and a questionnaire. All patients were in favour of that thorough information should be given about the risks of surgery; only three felt that this information caused anxiety. Three patients abstained from the operation after having read the information material; 39 stated that information in writing had improved their ability to decide whether or not to accept the operation. 69 patients stated that giving written consent is a valuable approach. In patients prepared for total knee arthroplasty or arthroscopic acromioplasty, information and consent forms with detailed information about risks could be a valuable supplement to oral information for the purpose of obtaining truly informed consent.