Informing and consenting for anaesthesia

Public expectations of healthcare have changed dramatically over the last 10–20 years, particularly in relation to the involvement of patients in determining treatment options and the selection of the most appropriate treatment plan. Paternalistic actions of doctors, which involved telling the patient what treatment they were going to receive, without discussing risks and benefits of various options, are no longer acceptable. This has been reflected in decisions reached by the courts in cases in which patients have entered litigation on the basis that inadequate information was given to them before treatment, and that they were unaware of risks of complications which subsequently materialised. If such claims are successful, the patient is entitled to financial compensation even if the treatment was carried out to the highest standard. Although most claims of this nature are brought against surgeons, similar claims are likely in relation to anaesthetic procedures. Complaints about lack of information or inadequate consent can also result in a doctor being reported to regulatory authorities. It is therefore necessary for anaesthetists to be aware of current issues surrounding provision of information and obtaining consent for anaesthesia in various categories of patient. This article summarises these issues.