[Study on pre-operative information on the medical aspects and prospects of a suggested operation, to be given by the gynaecologist to his woman patients].

Legislation prescribes the doctor's obligation to inform the patient of his situation and prospects before performing an operation. This obligation is of a mandatory character, the only exception being that the patient's life and health should not be seriously jeopardized by such information. The present study was based on questioning 100 woman patients, and it is evident therefrom that such an obligation places too much of a burden on the patient who is unable to cope with the information the doctor is compelled to give. In fact, our results show that frequently patients wish not only to be informed in a factual manner but also expect and desire an optimistic approach to be mediated by the doctor. Hence it appears important to pass on relevant information to the patient in a manner adapted to his personality traits and character. The article demonstrates a model for pre-operative information of this kind to be given to gynaecological patients, and it is shown how justified it is if the doctor demands a wider scope for using his own discretion and judgment in his talks with patients in respect of the information to be given to the patients. Information given by a doctor mainly with the object in mind to legally protect himself against any possible legal consequences, cannot be reconciled with the predominantly altruistic goals of the medical profession.