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Bernat and Peterson¹ believe that informed consent is best viewed as a "process of patient-centered decision making." They point out that "the signed consent form simply represents evidence of the patient's consent." The form, however, can play a larger, more useful role. If it is thoughtfully prepared and properly introduced, it may make communicating the goals and the details of a planned surgical procedure more effective.

It is bad timing to present the consent form for the first time on the day of elective surgery when all concerned have convened for one purpose and "all systems are go."² It is subtly coercive. Instead, if the surgeon introduces the consent form in the office, goes over it, and instructs the patient to take it home, study it, and ask any questions, those issues can be resolved ahead of time. Then on the day of the procedure, the patient reviews the form, . . . [Full Text of this Article]

AUTHOR INFORMATION
David Goldblatt, MD

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