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 .
Spanish and English video-assisted informed consent for intravenous contrast administration in the emergency department: a randomized controlled trial.
STUDY OBJECTIVE This study determined whether Spanish and English educational videos are superior to routine discussion for informing emergency department ( ED ) patients about risks , benefits , and alternatives to receiving intravenous contrast for computed tomography ( CT ) . METHODS A prospect i ve r and omized controlled trial was performed on a convenience sample of adult ED patients scheduled to receive intravenous contrast for CT . Patients r and omized to the intervention group watched a video in Spanish or English explaining the procedure and its risks , benefits , and alternatives . The control group underwent routine discussion , receiving intravenous contrast information from their emergency physician . After their educational sessions , all participants completed a 10- question intravenous contrast knowledge measure and 1 question rating satisfaction with the informed consent process . Mean scores were compared to assess whether the videos were superior to routine discussion for educating patients about intravenous contrast . Secondary outcomes included the proportion of satisfied patients and refusals to sign consent . RESULTS Of the 112 patients enrolled , 56 were r and omized to the video group and 56 to routine discussion . Five patients withdrew from the study , leaving 107 for analysis ( video N=53 ; control N=54 ) . Mean knowledge scores were higher in the video group ( 68.1 % ) compared to routine discussion ( 47.8 % ) ( 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] for the difference 12.6 % to 28.1 % ) . Video-group patients exhibited greater satisfaction than routine- discussion patients ( 86.8 % [ 95 % CI 74.6 % to 94.5 % ] versus 77.4 % [ 95 % CI 63.8 % to 87.7 % ] ) . All patients signed consent to receive intravenous contrast . CONCLUSION Using Spanish and English educational videos yielded higher intravenous contrast knowledge scores compared with routine informed consent procedures
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 .