We have identified efforts by research ers to investigate interventions which seek to improve information delivery and consideration of information to enhance  informed consent .
The interventions used consistently improve patient knowledge , an important prerequisite for informed consent .
This is encouraging and these measures could be widely employed although we are not able to say with confidence which types of interventions are preferable .
Our results should be interpreted with caution due to the high levels of heterogeneity associated with many of the main analyses although we believe there is broad evidence of beneficial outcomes for patients with the pragmatic application of interventions .
BACKGROUND Achieving informed consent is a core clinical procedure and is required before any surgical or invasive procedure is undertaken .
However , it is a complex process which requires patients be provided with information which they can underst and and retain , opportunity to consider their options , and to be able to express their opinions and ask questions .
There is evidence that at present some patients undergo procedures without informed consent being achieved .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects on patients , clinicians and the healthcare system of interventions to promote informed consent for patients undergoing surgical and other invasive healthcare treatments and procedures .
AUTHORS ' CONCLUSIONS Informed consent is an important ethical and practical part of patient care .
Effects of decision aids for menorrhagia on treatment choices, health outcomes, and costs: a randomized controlled trial.
CONTEXT Decision aids can increase patient involvement in treatment decision making . However , questions remain regarding their effects and cost implication s. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of information , with and without a structured preference elicitation interview , on treatment choices , health outcomes , and costs . DESIGN , SETTING , AND PARTICIPANTS A r and omized controlled trial with 2 years of follow-up . Between October 1996 and February 1998 , 894 women with uncomplicated menorrhagia were recruited from 6 hospitals in southwest Engl and . Women were r and omized to the control group , information alone group ( information ) , or information plus interview group ( interview ) . INTERVENTIONS Women in both intervention groups were sent an information pack ( a booklet and complementary videotape ) 6 weeks before their specialist consultation . Immediately before their consultation , women in the interview group underwent structured interview , to clarify and elicit their preferences . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Self-reported health status was the main outcome ; secondary outcomes included treatments received and costs . Cost analyses adopted a UK health service ( payer ) perspective , and were based on patient-reported re source use data and are reported in 1999 - 2000 US dollars . RESULTS The interventions had no consistent effect on health status . Hysterectomy rates were lower for women in the interview group ( 38 % ) ( adjusted odds ratio [ OR ] , 0.60 ; 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] , 0.38 - 0.96 ) than in the control group ( 48 % ) and women who received the information alone ( 48 % ) ( adjusted OR , 0.52 ; 95 % CI , 0.33 - 0.82 ) . The interview group had lower mean costs ( $ 1566 ) than the control group ( $ 2751 ) ( mean difference , $ 1184 ; 95 % CI , $ 684-$2110 ) and the information group $ 2026 ( mean difference , $ 461 ; 95 % CI , $ 236-$696 ) . CONCLUSIONS Neither intervention had an effect on health status . Providing women with information alone did not affect treatment choices ; however , the addition of an interview to clarify values and elicit preferences had a significant effect on women 's management and result ed in reduced costs
We have identified efforts by research ers to investigate interventions which seek to improve information delivery and consideration of information to enhance  informed consent .
The interventions used consistently improve patient knowledge , an important prerequisite for informed consent .
This is encouraging and these measures could be widely employed although we are not able to say with confidence which types of interventions are preferable .
Our results should be interpreted with caution due to the high levels of heterogeneity associated with many of the main analyses although we believe there is broad evidence of beneficial outcomes for patients with the pragmatic application of interventions .
BACKGROUND Achieving informed consent is a core clinical procedure and is required before any surgical or invasive procedure is undertaken .
However , it is a complex process which requires patients be provided with information which they can underst and and retain , opportunity to consider their options , and to be able to express their opinions and ask questions .
There is evidence that at present some patients undergo procedures without informed consent being achieved .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects on patients , clinicians and the healthcare system of interventions to promote informed consent for patients undergoing surgical and other invasive healthcare treatments and procedures .
AUTHORS ' CONCLUSIONS Informed consent is an important ethical and practical part of patient care .