Annals of surgery
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Improving informed consent of surgical patients using a multimedia-based program? Results of a prospective randomized multicenter study of patients before cholecystectomy.
The term "informed consent" explains the process by which a patient, before treatment, is provided comprehensive and impartial information regarding a planned operative procedure so that he/she understands the implications of the procedure before consenting. The goal of the current study was to investigate whether standard methods of consenting can be improved using a multimedia-based information program (MM-IP). ⋯ Use of the multimedia-based program was positively evaluated by patients, and significantly improved patients' perceived understanding of their disease and its treatment. It is, therefore, valuable in the informed consent process.