Evaluation of The Quality of Obtaining Informed Consent for Spinal Anesthesia in Patients, Candidate for Gynecological Surgery Referred to Alzahra Hospital During 2021

Background: Obtaining informed consent (IC) is essential for any diagnostic or therapeutic procedure. IC is an important legal communication process between the patient and physician. Objective: This study was performed to evaluate the quality of IC process in patients undergoing spinal anesthesia (SA) in gynecological surgeries. Methods: During 2021 this cross-sectional study was performed in Alzahra Hospital. Eligible patients over 18 years old, who were candidates for elective gynecological surgeries under SA, enrolled the survey. A questionnaire containing demographic data and 20 specific questions divided in to 4 areas; providing information, Comprehensibility of the consent form, Voluntary of informed consent, Communication with the doctor, was filled out via a direct interview. Results: Finally the data from 259 eligible patients were analyzed. In terms of providing information to the patient, comprehensibility of the consent form, and the voluntary of obtaining consent were in poor conditions .But, in terms of communication with the physician, 46.3% of the patients were in a good state and 20.1% excellent. It was also found that there was significant relationship between the level of education and the quality of obtaining IC (P= 0.034). Conclusion: It was concluded that the IC process was not acceptable in this academic center, and effort should be made to improve the current conditions.