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Use of multimedia during informed consent: novelty or necessity

  • Clinical Opinion
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International Urogynecology Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The process of informed consent is an integral part of the preoperative encounter. In theory, it has the potential to educate patients, enabling them to reach a true autonomous decision regarding the treatment offered. Unfortunately, in recent years informed consent has become overly complicated for the average patient. Questions have been raised regarding the ability of the process, as practiced nowadays, to actually increase knowledge and achieve its goals. In search of new ways to increase patient comprehension, researchers have suggested use of multimedia during the process of informed consent. Visualization of complex ideas, interactive learning and tailoring the procedure to fit patient needs are all advantages presented by use of multimedia during the process. Several randomized prospective trials have looked into this topic and have presented promising data in favor of multimedia use. Informed consent is a process with unfulfilled potential, and use of multimedia may be part of the solution. In our opinion, it is time to change the way we educate patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel

    Henry H. Chill, Uri Dior & David Shveiky

Authors
  1. Henry H. Chill
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  2. Uri Dior
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  3. David Shveiky
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Correspondence to Henry H. Chill.

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H.H. Chill and U. Dior have no conflicts of interest. D. Shveiky serves on the medical advisory board of Escala Medical.

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Chill, H.H., Dior, U. & Shveiky, D. Use of multimedia during informed consent: novelty or necessity. Int Urogynecol J 30, 1635–1637 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-019-04046-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-019-04046-0

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