Informed Consent: Principles for Elective Circumcision

Abstract

Informed consent is more than a process; it is a gestalt that embraces the concept of the provider (physician or other practitioner) and the patient engaging in a two-way exchange of ideas to best determine a medical course of action. In pediatric cases, the parents are the decision-makers for their children and are presumed to have the best interest of the child in mind. The most important point to keep in mind is that patients (parents) come with preconceived expectations and often cultural considerations. It is important to be sensitive to these and at the same time present a well-balanced summary of the pros and cons of circumcision. To that “a well-crafted informed consent document outlining the procedure, goals of surgery, risks, benefits, and expected outcomes of the procedure allows an opportunity to confirm that the patient has understood and retained the information needed to reach a meaningful decision.”