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 .
Development of a patient decision aid for choice of surgical treatment for breast cancer.
PURPOSE : A patient decision aid for the surgical treatment of early stage breast cancer was developed and evaluated . The rationale for its development was the knowledge that breast conserving therapy ( lumpectomy followed by breast radiation ) and mastectomy produce equivalent outcomes , and the current general agreement that the decision for the type of surgery should rest with the patient . METHODS : A decision aid was developed and evaluated in sequential pilot studies of 18 and 10 women with newly diagnosed breast cancer who were facing a decision for breast conserving therapy or mastectomy .  Both qualitative ( general reaction , self-reported anxiety , clarity , satisfaction ) and quantitative ( knowledge and decisional conflict ) measures were assessed . RESULTS : The decision aid consists of an audiotape and workbook and takes 36 min to complete . Based on qualitative comments and satisfaction ratings , 17 of 18 women reported a positive reaction to the decision aid , and all 18 reported that it helped clarify information given by the surgeon . Women did not report an increase in anxiety and 17 of 18 women were either satisfied or very satisfied with the decision aid . CONCLUSION : This pilot study supports the hypothesis that this decision aid may be a helpful adjunct in the decision for surgical management of early stage breast cancer . We are currently conducting a r and omized trial of the decision aid versus a simple educational pamphlet to evaluate its efficacy as measured by knowledge , decisional conflict , anxiety and post-decisional regret
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 .