Objective: To compare three different techniques of obtaining informed patient consent and the relative acceptance rates for resident involvement in cataract surgery. The techniques differed with regards to physician-patient interaction, and how resident involvement was presented.
Design: A retrospective cohort study in a tertiary care ophthalmology department with a recently established residency training program.
Participants: 356 patients undergoing informed consent procedure for cataract surgery.
Methods: Charts of all patients undergoing cataract surgery by 3 cataract surgeons from October 2009 to March 2010 were reviewed. Patient demographics, the documentation of a specific request for resident participation, and the patient response were recorded. Response rates were analyzed between the three different techniques/surgeons.
Results: Consent to resident participation was found to range from 21% to 86%. Higher acceptance rates were associated with direct personal conversation between surgeon and patient.
Conclusion: High acceptance rates for resident involvement in cataract surgery can be achieved with full disclosure of resident involvement to patients.
Copyright © 2012 Canadian Ophthalmological Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.