• Tadese Negash, Diriba Teshome, Efrem Fenta, Kumlachew Belete, Yewlsew Fentie, Aderajew Mequanint, Aragaw Tesfaw, Tamiru Tilahun Ayele, Fissiha Fentie, Tenbite Daniel, and Keder Essa Oumer.
• Department of Anesthesia, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.
• Patient Prefer Adher. 2023 Jan 1; 17: 234323512343-2351.

BackgroundInformed consent discussions are individualized not only with regard to the patients' surgical condition and goals but also with their varying information needs, health literacy, and anxiety. Information is lacking regarding the views of patients and concerned healthcare professionals on the informed consent process.ObjectiveThis study is aimed to explore patients' and healthcare professionals' perceived barriers during informed consent process and identify suggested solutions for improvement.MethodsPatients who underwent elective surgery, anesthetists, and surgeons were the subjects of a qualitative study employing focused group discussions and in-depth interviews. The study participants were chosen through the use of purposeful sampling.ResultsThe main barriers identified by the patients include: inadequate explanation about the intended procedure, family's influence in the decision-making, fear of surgery, fear of light/power interruption, inadequate time for discussion, and not letting the family members attend the discussion. On the other hand, healthcare professionals also identified various barriers, which includes: inability of patients to understand the information, limited time to discuss with patients in detail, poorly designed informed consent form, poor awareness of patients, fear of patient refusal for surgery if the risks and associated health problems are explained, lack of adequate investigation to confidently explain about the disease condition, use of medical jargons, poor documentation habit of professionals and lack of legal system regarding ethical dilemmas.Conclusions And RecommendationPatients and healthcare professionals have identified avoidable barriers that need the attention of concerned health professionals, educators, and the healthcare delivery system.© 2023 Negash et al.

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