Effectiveness of a Structured Orientation Program for Medical Interns in Increasing the Awareness of Informed Consent

Abstract

Abstract Background Informed consent has medicolegal implications and is imperative in presentday medical practice. Aims and Objectives The objectives of this study were to estimate the awareness regarding informed consent in interns and to determine the effectiveness of sessions in interns’ orientation programs about informed consent. Materials and Methods Pretest–Posttest study was conducted with a validated questionnaire distributed through Google Forms to interns attending the orientation program at our institute. Responses were recorded on the Likert scale (−2 to + 2). Paired t-test was used to compare the mean pretest and posttest scores. The number of interns with a positive score (+1, +2) for every question in pretest and posttest were also compared. Results One hundred and seventyone out of 232 interns who attended the program submitted both pretest and posttest responses. In the pretest, 12 interns scored < 50% and 46 interns scored more than 75%. A significant increase in posttest responses was seen in the mean score (P < 0.001) and questions related to consent in research, radiological investigations, regarding the need for consent in the additional nonlifesaving procedure. There was an increase in the number of interns having a positive score (+1, +2) for all the questions in posttest as compared to pretest, but a statistically significant increase was seen in questions related to consent in ultrasound and need for consent in the additional nonlifesaving procedure. Conclusion A wellstructured interns’ orientation program is effective in improving awareness regarding consent. Certain gaps in knowledge regarding various aspects of consent need to be emphasized.