Communication in the informed consent

Abstract

Introduction. Informed consent is an important element in the doctor-patient relationship, which involves the transmission of a message. In this context, the theory of communication required in an informed consent, the barriers for an adequate transmission of the message, the responsibility in the communication, and the requirements for the achievement of these purposes are described. The objective is to reflexively analyze the assorted and necessary communication processes during its completion, with some feasible proposals to implement. Discussion. The communicative process implies evaluating the quality, the context, the intentionality, the pedagogy and the reception-emission of the message. The nature of the surgical activity requires the improvement of communication as a necessary skill in surgeons. Opportunities for improvement are pointed out for an adequate execution of this non-technical skill, usually not contemplated in medical training. Conclusions. Informed consent is an act that transcends the transmission of information and is the result of a complex process that involves communication skills. Its effectiveness derives from decision-making supported by a clear understanding of the situation and the procedure to be implemented. There are critical points during its realization that could be the object of future interventions from this communicative perspective.