Abstract
Objective
To know surgical patients’ understanding of the free and informed consent form (FICF).
Methods
Cross-sectional study conducted with patients in the immediate postoperative period of different surgical procedures. Intentional sample. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire with Likert type responses, and analyzed through descriptive and analytical statistics.
Results
Of the 374 patients evaluated, 36.4% underwent surgical procedures on the musculoskeletal system, and 35.3% received the FICF from a non-medical professional (secretary). The patients agreed that they understood the information written on the FICF (44.7%), that the information was clear (59.6%), that doubts were clarified (57%), and that they knew the function of the FICF (59.6%). Only 28.6% of patients confirmed that they had obtained a signed copy of the FICF.
Conclusion
Most participants understood the written information on the FICF, but it is necessary to expand this understanding to all patients, as well as provide a copy of the signed document.
Informed consent; Surgical procedures, operative; Perioperative nursing