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 .
Informed consent in rhinoplasty: prospective randomized study of risk recall in patients who are given written disclosure of risks versus traditional oral discussion groups.
OBJECTIVE To determine the effectiveness of providing written information in enhancing patient underst and ing and retention . DESIGN A multicentre prospect i ve r and omized study was conducted in university-affiliated ambulatory surgical centres . One hundred consecutive patients seen for rhinoplasty consultation were included . Patients were r and omly assigned to ( 1 ) those receiving traditional oral dialogue of the surgical risks or ( 2 ) those receiving an oral discussion and a written pamphlet outlining the risks of the procedure . Fourteen to 18 days after the consultation , each patient was contacted for an assessment of risk recall . RESULTS Overall risk recall was higher in the group that received written information ( 2.3 vs 1.3 of 5 risks ; p < .008 ) . As well , in the group that received a pamphlet , patients with university and postgraduate levels of education had a better rate of recall ( p < .05 ) . Female patients in both groups reported higher risk recall ( p < .01 ) . CONCLUSION Patient risk recall of rhinoplasty is improved with the addition of written information during the informed consent process . As the process of informed consent plays a very decisive role in facial plastic surgery , enhanced postoperative satisfaction may result from the use of supplemental educational material
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 .