Pub Date : 2022-06-30DOI: 10.4038/mljsl.v10i1.7450
P. Appuhamy, S. Rathnayake
{"title":"A concept note on system improvement with an implementation of the standard operating procedure in cadaveric eye retrieval in District General Hospital, Matale, Sri Lanka","authors":"P. Appuhamy, S. Rathnayake","doi":"10.4038/mljsl.v10i1.7450","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4038/mljsl.v10i1.7450","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":446761,"journal":{"name":"Medico-Legal Journal of Sri Lanka","volume":"82 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"116474165","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-06-30DOI: 10.4038/mljsl.v10i1.7456
K. Munasinghe, M. Rascon, J. Diaze, A. Vadysinghe, M. Vidanapathirana
{"title":"Suicide firearm deaths in El Paso, Texas, USA: A retrospective study","authors":"K. Munasinghe, M. Rascon, J. Diaze, A. Vadysinghe, M. Vidanapathirana","doi":"10.4038/mljsl.v10i1.7456","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4038/mljsl.v10i1.7456","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":446761,"journal":{"name":"Medico-Legal Journal of Sri Lanka","volume":"171 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"116431371","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-06-30DOI: 10.4038/mljsl.v10i1.7459
U. G. B. Jayarathna, J. Warushahennadi, L. K. C. D. Ariyarathna
{"title":"A death due to complications following late-onset congenital diaphragmatic hernia in a young child","authors":"U. G. B. Jayarathna, J. Warushahennadi, L. K. C. D. Ariyarathna","doi":"10.4038/mljsl.v10i1.7459","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4038/mljsl.v10i1.7459","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":446761,"journal":{"name":"Medico-Legal Journal of Sri Lanka","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129849359","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Neonatal autopsy is a developing field in Sri Lanka. It needs human expertise as well as infra-structure with basic and advanced facilities in imaging, serology, genetics, biochemistry etc. Sir Lanka has relatively low neonatal mortality rates compared to other South Asian countries. Cloaca anomaly is a rare pathological condition almost always affecting female infants due to abnormal development of cloaca during the embryonic period. This is basically due to disordered development of endodermal – incorporation of allantois into the hindgut, formation of mesodermal urorectal septum and rupture of the cloacal membrane during the 4th and 7th week of gestation. Sometimes it is associated with disordered development of metanephros, mesonephric duct and paramesonephric duct from which the upper portion of the urinary tract including kidney, ureteric bud and female genital tract develop including fallopian tubes, uterus and upper two-thirds of the vagina. Isolated abnormal development of cloaca is compatible with life and it may be amenable to surgery, though such surgery may invariably involve multiple steps. On the other hand, the outcome is poor when it is associated with other anomalies elsewhere in the body. This case elaborates the death of a female neonate within two hours of birth with a cloacal anomaly complicated by multiple other anomalies of kidney, ureter and lung. It emphasizes the limitations of antenatal investigations in delineating all anatomical and pathological conditions and the need for a meticulous neonatal autopsy to compensate the limitations of antenatal diagnostic techniques.
{"title":"A Case of Cloacal Anomaly Associated with Complications Leading to the Death of a New born: Lessons Learnt through Forensic Autopsy for Better Health Care","authors":"S. Raveendran, S. Hulathduwa","doi":"10.4038/mljsl.v9i2.7449","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4038/mljsl.v9i2.7449","url":null,"abstract":"Neonatal autopsy is a developing field in Sri Lanka. It needs human expertise as well as infra-structure with basic and advanced facilities in imaging, serology, genetics, biochemistry etc. Sir Lanka has relatively low neonatal mortality rates compared to other South Asian countries. Cloaca anomaly is a rare pathological condition almost always affecting female infants due to abnormal development of cloaca during the embryonic period. This is basically due to disordered development of endodermal – incorporation of allantois into the hindgut, formation of mesodermal urorectal septum and rupture of the cloacal membrane during the 4th and 7th week of gestation. Sometimes it is associated with disordered development of metanephros, mesonephric duct and paramesonephric duct from which the upper portion of the urinary tract including kidney, ureteric bud and female genital tract develop including fallopian tubes, uterus and upper two-thirds of the vagina. Isolated abnormal development of cloaca is compatible with life and it may be amenable to surgery, though such surgery may invariably involve multiple steps. On the other hand, the outcome is poor when it is associated with other anomalies elsewhere in the body. This case elaborates the death of a female neonate within two hours of birth with a cloacal anomaly complicated by multiple other anomalies of kidney, ureter and lung. It emphasizes the limitations of antenatal investigations in delineating all anatomical and pathological conditions and the need for a meticulous neonatal autopsy to compensate the limitations of antenatal diagnostic techniques.","PeriodicalId":446761,"journal":{"name":"Medico-Legal Journal of Sri Lanka","volume":"26 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128254610","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A young male died following the sinking of his car in a deep lake while driving alone. There had been no indication of a collision. Medical experts determined that the cause of death was drowning. Suicide cannot be ruled out as per the manner of death. This article analyses the Motor Traffic Act in light of this case report and makes a few recommendations to address unforeseen issues. According to the Motor Vehicle Act, this is a "Road traffic accident" in every sense of the word, as well as a fatal accident. The Motor Vehicle Act addresses only pure and simple accidents. If negligence results in a person's death or injury, additional legal provisions, specifically the Penal Code, must be followed to punish the perpetrator. In this case, no collision occurred during this incident, and only one vehicle was involved. The case report discusses the interpretation of the Motor Traffic Act, as it is critical to have a broad understanding of legal issues and law in order to provide an adequate service to other stakeholders such as the judiciary and the Police Department.
{"title":"A Critique on Present Motor Traffic Act of Sri Lanka Based on a Case Scenario","authors":"H. Ariyarathna","doi":"10.4038/mljsl.v9i2.7447","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4038/mljsl.v9i2.7447","url":null,"abstract":"A young male died following the sinking of his car in a deep lake while driving alone. There had been no indication of a collision. Medical experts determined that the cause of death was drowning. Suicide cannot be ruled out as per the manner of death. This article analyses the Motor Traffic Act in light of this case report and makes a few recommendations to address unforeseen issues. According to the Motor Vehicle Act, this is a \"Road traffic accident\" in every sense of the word, as well as a fatal accident. The Motor Vehicle Act addresses only pure and simple accidents. If negligence results in a person's death or injury, additional legal provisions, specifically the Penal Code, must be followed to punish the perpetrator. In this case, no collision occurred during this incident, and only one vehicle was involved. The case report discusses the interpretation of the Motor Traffic Act, as it is critical to have a broad understanding of legal issues and law in order to provide an adequate service to other stakeholders such as the judiciary and the Police Department.","PeriodicalId":446761,"journal":{"name":"Medico-Legal Journal of Sri Lanka","volume":"28 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129016549","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
W. Kumarasinghe, W. W. J. S. M. Rowel, A. Vadysinghe
Introduction: Sexual assault is a global problem with impacts on physical/ mental health. Sexual assault survivors experience negative social reactions such as stigmatization and blame attribution. Negative social reactions can lead to detrimental effects on mental health. It has been shown that negative reactions exist among the service providers for this group. This study examines the perception of forensic practitioners regarding sexual assault survivors. Methodology: An online questionnaire comprised of 22 questions was sent out to forensic practitioners of Sri Lanka, who are the primary contacts of sexual assault survivors in the hospital setting. The questions addressed knowledge, attitudes and beliefs towards the sexual assault survivors. Results: A sample of 51 responded to the questionnaire out of more than 100 invitees. Only 46% of the forensic practitioners reported that they never feel reluctant to examine sexual assault cases. An average of 71% responded positively to all the correct statements regarding knowledge. The average percentage of participants who responded negatively to the negative statements regarding attitudes/ believes was 57%. A percentage of 39% responded as “agree” or “strongly agree” for the two positive statements regarding attitudes/ believes. Conclusion: The findings of our study highlight the requirement of training programs and further studies to address the negative beliefs and attitudes among the primary health contacts of sexual assault survivors.
{"title":"A Study on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs of Sri Lankan Forensic Practitioners towards Sexual Assault Survivors","authors":"W. Kumarasinghe, W. W. J. S. M. Rowel, A. Vadysinghe","doi":"10.4038/mljsl.v9i2.7446","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4038/mljsl.v9i2.7446","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Sexual assault is a global problem with impacts on physical/ mental health. Sexual assault survivors experience negative social reactions such as stigmatization and blame attribution. Negative social reactions can lead to detrimental effects on mental health. It has been shown that negative reactions exist among the service providers for this group. This study examines the perception of forensic practitioners regarding sexual assault survivors. Methodology: An online questionnaire comprised of 22 questions was sent out to forensic practitioners of Sri Lanka, who are the primary contacts of sexual assault survivors in the hospital setting. The questions addressed knowledge, attitudes and beliefs towards the sexual assault survivors. Results: A sample of 51 responded to the questionnaire out of more than 100 invitees. Only 46% of the forensic practitioners reported that they never feel reluctant to examine sexual assault cases. An average of 71% responded positively to all the correct statements regarding knowledge. The average percentage of participants who responded negatively to the negative statements regarding attitudes/ believes was 57%. A percentage of 39% responded as “agree” or “strongly agree” for the two positive statements regarding attitudes/ believes. Conclusion: The findings of our study highlight the requirement of training programs and further studies to address the negative beliefs and attitudes among the primary health contacts of sexual assault survivors.","PeriodicalId":446761,"journal":{"name":"Medico-Legal Journal of Sri Lanka","volume":"31 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132146854","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Physical, psychological and sexual violence occurring between partners is termed intimate partner violence. It has medical, legal, social, cultural and economic adverse repercussions affecting not only the partners but also their children. It is a preventable social problem across the globe with varying prevalence. The most extreme forms result in ‘intimate partner homicide’. Several risk factors have been identified for this condition, out of which the most important one being ‘longstanding domestic violence’. When the victimized partner in intimate partner homicide is a female, the scenario is termed ‘Femicide’. This case elaborates the death of a young female with two under-aged children caused by her drug addict husband probably by exerting sustained external pressure on the neck with an iron rod.
{"title":"Intimate Partner Violence Leading to Femicide: A Case Report","authors":"N. Borukgama, S. Hulathduwa","doi":"10.4038/mljsl.v9i2.7448","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4038/mljsl.v9i2.7448","url":null,"abstract":"Physical, psychological and sexual violence occurring between partners is termed intimate partner violence. It has medical, legal, social, cultural and economic adverse repercussions affecting not only the partners but also their children. It is a preventable social problem across the globe with varying prevalence. The most extreme forms result in ‘intimate partner homicide’. Several risk factors have been identified for this condition, out of which the most important one being ‘longstanding domestic violence’. When the victimized partner in intimate partner homicide is a female, the scenario is termed ‘Femicide’. This case elaborates the death of a young female with two under-aged children caused by her drug addict husband probably by exerting sustained external pressure on the neck with an iron rod.","PeriodicalId":446761,"journal":{"name":"Medico-Legal Journal of Sri Lanka","volume":"10 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114397219","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Introduction: The most vulnerable road users are pedestrians. This article discusses important aspects of a few selected medico-legal issues that have received relatively little attention in Sri Lanka thus far. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which 500 patients who were admitted to the Accident Service Unit (ASU) following pedestrian-vehicle collisions between January 2018 and January 2020. Results: There were 78% (n=391) males among the victims, and the average age of the victims was 47 years. Forty-five percent (n=224) of the incidents occurred between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., accounting for 71% of the total. Five percent (n=25) of them had encountered an incident while crossing pedestrian lines. Fourteen percent of pedestrians admitted that the accident was their fault. Eight percent (n=39) had insurance coverage, and 54% (n=272) indicated a desire to pursue compensation through litigation. Forty percent (n= 202) correctly identified the court to which they needed to go to obtain compensation. The JMO's (Judicial Medical Officer) role was not well understood, and only 04% (n=19) were aware of it precisely. Fifty six percent sustained grievous injuries and 61% of participants had been referred to other specialities for expert opinions while being treated in the Accident Service Unit (ASU). Eighty-five percent (n=427) of patients underwent surgery, and the majority stated that they were not adequately informed about the surgical procedures before surgery. Six percent (n=29) stated that they were not in pain. There was a statistically significant correlation between age and sex and the severity of the injuries sustained. The time of the accident and the fact that it occurred while crossing the road demonstrated a significant association, whereas alcohol consumption and the fact that it occurred on a pedestrian crossing did not. There was no statistically significant difference in the amount of pain experienced by males and females. When patients reached an advanced age, they became less likely to pursue compensation claims. Conclusion: The health sector was burdened with a huge number of pedestrian victims upon traffic-related injuries and the majority of victims suffered injuries either grievous or above in categorization of hurt. The knowledge of the service provided by a JMO and the court system was insufficient. Identification of peculiarities among victims helps to minimize casualties by addressing specific aspects.
{"title":"Evaluation of Medico-Legal Implications and Other Important Issues in Pedestrians Who Got Admitted to a Tertiary Care Hospital in Colombo District Following Road Traffic Injuries in 2018-2020","authors":"H. Ariyarathna","doi":"10.4038/mljsl.v9i2.7444","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4038/mljsl.v9i2.7444","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: The most vulnerable road users are pedestrians. This article discusses important aspects of a few selected medico-legal issues that have received relatively little attention in Sri Lanka thus far. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which 500 patients who were admitted to the Accident Service Unit (ASU) following pedestrian-vehicle collisions between January 2018 and January 2020. Results: There were 78% (n=391) males among the victims, and the average age of the victims was 47 years. Forty-five percent (n=224) of the incidents occurred between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., accounting for 71% of the total. Five percent (n=25) of them had encountered an incident while crossing pedestrian lines. Fourteen percent of pedestrians admitted that the accident was their fault. Eight percent (n=39) had insurance coverage, and 54% (n=272) indicated a desire to pursue compensation through litigation. Forty percent (n= 202) correctly identified the court to which they needed to go to obtain compensation. The JMO's (Judicial Medical Officer) role was not well understood, and only 04% (n=19) were aware of it precisely. Fifty six percent sustained grievous injuries and 61% of participants had been referred to other specialities for expert opinions while being treated in the Accident Service Unit (ASU). Eighty-five percent (n=427) of patients underwent surgery, and the majority stated that they were not adequately informed about the surgical procedures before surgery. Six percent (n=29) stated that they were not in pain. There was a statistically significant correlation between age and sex and the severity of the injuries sustained. The time of the accident and the fact that it occurred while crossing the road demonstrated a significant association, whereas alcohol consumption and the fact that it occurred on a pedestrian crossing did not. There was no statistically significant difference in the amount of pain experienced by males and females. When patients reached an advanced age, they became less likely to pursue compensation claims. Conclusion: The health sector was burdened with a huge number of pedestrian victims upon traffic-related injuries and the majority of victims suffered injuries either grievous or above in categorization of hurt. The knowledge of the service provided by a JMO and the court system was insufficient. Identification of peculiarities among victims helps to minimize casualties by addressing specific aspects.","PeriodicalId":446761,"journal":{"name":"Medico-Legal Journal of Sri Lanka","volume":"2 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122284605","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
L. Dharmadasa, Kithulwaththa Idg, D. Priyanath, Gunathilaka Mac, Silva Lskd, Kumari Mkjk, Senanayaka Taaw
Introduction: Child abuse is a global public health problem and proper intervention strategies need a greater understanding of risk factors that can contribute to it. This study was conducted in order to identify the undetected contributory factors that lead to child abuse cases. Methodology: All children (less than 18 years of age) who were brought for medico legal examination with alleged abuse to two reputed teaching hospitals during a period of 1 and ½ years were included. Required details were obtained through an interviewer administered questionnaire after obtaining the consent. Results: Out of the 186 children, more than 80% presented following sexual abuse and the majority (n=173) were females. Further, n=118 (75%) of the victims of child sexual abuse were between the age group of 13 to 15 years. Moreover, 75% of the victims of sexual abuse were from low income families. Parents of 100% of the victims of physical abuse and 60% of the victims of sexual abuse had educational qualifications below ordinary level. 82% of the victims of physical abuse were having dysfunctional family background, specially use of ethanol by parents (65%). Parental separation was the form of family dysfunction that was associated with sexual abuse. Conclusion: Poor income, poor parental education and dysfunctional family background could be identified as predisposing factors for child abuse. However, the association of these factors vary with different types of child abuse, thus preventive strategies should be planned accordingly.
{"title":"Study on Victims of Child Abuse: A Study Conducted in Two Teaching Hospitals in Sri Lanka","authors":"L. Dharmadasa, Kithulwaththa Idg, D. Priyanath, Gunathilaka Mac, Silva Lskd, Kumari Mkjk, Senanayaka Taaw","doi":"10.4038/mljsl.v9i2.7443","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4038/mljsl.v9i2.7443","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Child abuse is a global public health problem and proper intervention strategies need a greater understanding of risk factors that can contribute to it. This study was conducted in order to identify the undetected contributory factors that lead to child abuse cases. Methodology: All children (less than 18 years of age) who were brought for medico legal examination with alleged abuse to two reputed teaching hospitals during a period of 1 and ½ years were included. Required details were obtained through an interviewer administered questionnaire after obtaining the consent. Results: Out of the 186 children, more than 80% presented following sexual abuse and the majority (n=173) were females. Further, n=118 (75%) of the victims of child sexual abuse were between the age group of 13 to 15 years. Moreover, 75% of the victims of sexual abuse were from low income families. Parents of 100% of the victims of physical abuse and 60% of the victims of sexual abuse had educational qualifications below ordinary level. 82% of the victims of physical abuse were having dysfunctional family background, specially use of ethanol by parents (65%). Parental separation was the form of family dysfunction that was associated with sexual abuse. Conclusion: Poor income, poor parental education and dysfunctional family background could be identified as predisposing factors for child abuse. However, the association of these factors vary with different types of child abuse, thus preventive strategies should be planned accordingly.","PeriodicalId":446761,"journal":{"name":"Medico-Legal Journal of Sri Lanka","volume":"12 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123465695","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Introduction: At present most of the patients are educated, knowledgeable and actively participating in medical decision making. However, the literature on medical officers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices, as well as informed consent, in Sri Lanka is quite limited and our study is carried out to fulfil this gap. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among randomly selected 404 medical officers at two Teaching Hospitals in Sri Lanka. Results: Among the study group of total 404 medical officers, 57% (n=232) were males and 82% (n=331) were Grade Medical Officers. Ninety five percent (n=384) of them knew that informed consent should be obtained in vaginal examination and rectal examination and 98% (n=396) of them knew and apply the knowledge into practice in the case of children and other persons who are incapable of giving consent and 97% (n=392) of them knew that they have to consider the mental state of the patient before requesting consent. Almost all medical officers 96% (n=348) believe that the doctor who carries out the treatment or medical procedures is the best person to obtain informed consent from the patient. The majority of the medical officers 70% (n=283) only explain common risks. In comparison, 29% (n=117) explain all risks and only 01% (n=04) explain all risks including possible remote risks as well. Conclusion: A reasonable number of doctors have adequate knowledge regarding informed consent but are very poor in some areas. It is highly recommended continuous professional development program and knowledge updating program covering medical ethics at each hospital level.
{"title":"A Study on Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Obtaining Informed Consent for Medical and Surgical Procedures Among Medical Officers in Teaching Hospital Kalubowila and Karapitiya, Sri Lanka","authors":"P. B. W. Lelwala, P. B. Dasanayaka","doi":"10.4038/mljsl.v9i2.7445","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4038/mljsl.v9i2.7445","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: At present most of the patients are educated, knowledgeable and actively participating in medical decision making. However, the literature on medical officers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices, as well as informed consent, in Sri Lanka is quite limited and our study is carried out to fulfil this gap. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among randomly selected 404 medical officers at two Teaching Hospitals in Sri Lanka. Results: Among the study group of total 404 medical officers, 57% (n=232) were males and 82% (n=331) were Grade Medical Officers. Ninety five percent (n=384) of them knew that informed consent should be obtained in vaginal examination and rectal examination and 98% (n=396) of them knew and apply the knowledge into practice in the case of children and other persons who are incapable of giving consent and 97% (n=392) of them knew that they have to consider the mental state of the patient before requesting consent. Almost all medical officers 96% (n=348) believe that the doctor who carries out the treatment or medical procedures is the best person to obtain informed consent from the patient. The majority of the medical officers 70% (n=283) only explain common risks. In comparison, 29% (n=117) explain all risks and only 01% (n=04) explain all risks including possible remote risks as well. Conclusion: A reasonable number of doctors have adequate knowledge regarding informed consent but are very poor in some areas. It is highly recommended continuous professional development program and knowledge updating program covering medical ethics at each hospital level.","PeriodicalId":446761,"journal":{"name":"Medico-Legal Journal of Sri Lanka","volume":"20 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122003718","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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