A qualitative study on informed consent decision-making at two tertiary hospitals in Uganda: Experiences of patients undergoing emergency surgery and their next of kin.

Background: In emergency situations, patients and their next of kin must make complex medical and ethical decisions in a quick and timely way.

Objectives: To describe the decision-making process during informed consent for emergency surgery among patients and the next of kin of patients who have undergone emergency surgery.

Methods: Consecutive sampling of 39 participants and in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted at two tertiary teaching hospitals in Uganda. There were 22 patients and 17 next of kin of patients who had undergone emergency surgery within 24-72 h. Responses about decision-making were coded into themes using the social constructivist theory and phenomenological approach.

Results: There were four emergent themes; decision-makers, people consulted, documentation of the consent and factors influencing decision-making. Most patients and next of kin made decisions on their own and documented the consent for themselves. Other family members and doctors were consulted during the decision-making process. Decision-making was influenced by reassurance of good outcomes of surgery and disclosure by the doctors.

Conclusion: Decisions were made collaboratively with the patient at the center but with input of health personnel, the next of kin and other family members. A communitarian approach combined with shared decision-making between the doctor and the patient and next of kin with adequate discussion and disclosure of information in simple language would improve decision-making for patients and their next of kin.