Laryngoscope. 2013 Nov 12. doi: 10.1002/lary.24517. [Epub ahead of print]
Informed consent when prescribing Medication:A randomized controlled trial.
Source
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract
Objectives: To determine patient recall of specific risks associated with medication prescription and whether or not handouts are an effective tool to augment the informed consent process.
Study Design: Double-blinded randomized-controlled trial Methods: Informed consent for prednisone prescription was studied by comparing the effect of a verbal discussion (describing 10 specific adverse drug reactions) in conjunction with a handout going over same, to a verbal discussion alone. Blinded assessments occurred by telephone interview 2-4 weeks following the intervention. Outcomes assessed were the number of risks of prednisone that patients could list and the number of risks they recalled having discussed with their physician. Other demographic details were also collected.
Results: Twenty-five participants were randomly allocated to each group. Without prompting, the median number of risks spontaneously recalled by the handout group was not significantly different than the control group, and both groups had very low recall (2 vs. 1, p=0.24). When provided a list of potential side effects, it was observed that the handout group recalled a higher median number of risks having been discussed with their physician compared to patients in the control group (8 vs. 5, p=0.003). The groups' demographics were otherwise identical.
Conclusions: Patients in general did not remember discussing adverse prednisone risks with their physician even a short time after the discussion took place. While the patient handout resulted in improved recall of risks following the prescription of prednisone, its importance in the informed medication consent process remains an open question.
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