Patient Preference for Receiving Informed Consent Information

Objectives: It is important that patients have adequate information about a surgical procedure and its
risks and benefits prior to giving consent to proceed. The purpose of this study was to determine the
effectiveness of various methods of providing such information as perceived by patients and their
preferred method.
Methods: Patients presenting to the oral surgery clinic at the VCU School of Dentistry on
the day of surgery underwent an informed consent process. They then completed a brief questionnaire
asking them if they were satisfied with the information provided orally by the doctor, as well as if they
had also viewed a video about their operation, been given written information, or previously sought
information from other sources, and their satisfaction with these methods.
Results: Sixty-two patients completed the survey (52% males, 48% females, average age 36 yrs.). 43%
had a high school education and approximately 50% had some college or a college degree. 90% stated
that they had received oral information from the doctor and 95% were satisfied with the information
provided. 40% had also received written information and 70% of them found it very helpful. 47% had
watched a video and 72 % of them found it useful. 62% had received prior information from their dentist
and 62% from friends or family. Although 89% had internet access, only 34% used this for information
and only 39% of them found this useful. Overall, 60% preferred to receive information in written form
and 44% preferred oral information.
Conclusions: Although patients receiving oral information found it very helpful, a majority prefer written
information. Because of the importance of the informed consent process, providing both is the ideal
situation.