Is The Consent Process Appropriate - The Interns’ Perspective?

Aims Consent is an integral component to any medical procedure involving a competent patient, a communicating doctor, and transfer of information about the procedure. The aim of this study was to assess interns’ experience of the consent process. Methods An online questionnaire was distributed to interns in Ireland questioning their role in the consent process within six months of starting as an intern. Results One hundred and seventy-one interns (89.1%) had consented a patient for a procedure during their first intern rotation. One hundred and forty-three (83.6%) reported their supervisors did not explain the procedure to the intern prior to consent. One hundred and fifty-eight (92.4%) respondents consented for a procedure which they had not witnessed before. Sixty (35.1%) of interns reported that they have obtained signed consent without fully discussing the procedure and the associated risks. Conclusion The most junior members of a team are independently consenting patients on a regular basis without the appropriate level of knowledge.