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 .
Improving Informed Consent of Surgical Patients Using a Multimedia-Based Program?: Results of a Prospective Randomized Multicenter Study of Patients Before Cholecystectomy
Objective : The term “ informed consent ” explains the process by which a patient , before treatment , is provided comprehensive and impartial information regarding a planned operative procedure so that he/she underst and s the implication s of the procedure before consenting . The goal of the current study was to investigate whether st and ard methods of consenting can be improved using a multimedia-based information program ( MM-IP ) . Patients and Methods : In a prospect i ve multicenter study , 80 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy went through the st and ard informed consent process . One group of patients was also given access to a MM-IP . Question naires were completed before surgery . These evaluated how patients perceived their own underst and ing of important aspects of their illness ( ie , disease , therapeutic alternatives , operation , risks ) and satisfaction with the consenting process . Patients ’ anxiety levels were also assessed . These question naires were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the MM-IP for improving the consent process . Results : Seventy-six patients ( 47 women , 29 men , median age 54 years ) were included . There was no significant age or gender variation between the groups ( st and ard n = 41 and MM-IP n = 35 ) . Eighty-two percent of all respondents were satisfied with the st and ard informed consent process . However , perceived underst and ing of the material was significantly improved in the MM-IP group ( P < 0.001 ) . Patients with less formal education profited particularly from the MM-IP .  Preoperative anxiety did not vary between the groups . Conclusion : Use of the multimedia-based program was positively evaluated by patients , and significantly improved patients ’ perceived underst and ing of their disease and its treatment . It is , therefore , valuable in the informed consent process
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 .