Impact of the informed consent process on patients' understanding of varicose veins and their treatment.

AIM

It is particularly important that patients have reasonable understanding of the risks, benefits and nature of elective surgery. This study sought to analyse this level of understanding in patients undergoing varicose vein surgery

METHODS

Eighty two patients completed a questionnaire in the vascular outpatient clinic and were asked to complete a telephone questionnaire following the clinic.

RESULTS

Pain (n = 46) was the primary reason patients considered varicose vein surgery followed by appearance (n = 32). Most patients felt that varicose veins placed them at high risk of leg ulcers (n = 46) and DVT (n = 41). A high level of expectation that surgery would significantly affect pain and flares was recorded. While the outpatient visit did not materially change these misconceptions, an educational leaflet significantly enhanced the recall of complications (p = 0.028) in patients who remembered receiving a leaflet.

CONCLUSION

Patients attending varicose vein clinics have an unrealistic expectation of the benefits of surgery and fail to understand the benign nature of their condition. The outpatient process has little effect on patient-held beliefs.