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Is 'informed consent' an 'understood consent' in hematopoietic cell transplantation? Bone Marrow Transplant 2015 Jan;50(1):10-4

Date

09/23/2014

Pubmed ID

25243618

Pubmed Central ID

PMC4320584

DOI

10.1038/bmt.2014.207

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84920682651 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   33 Citations

Abstract

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a complex and highly specialized medical treatment that is associated with significant risks, including death. Furthermore, transplantation is offered to patients who often have no other curative treatment alternatives. The routine-consent process for HCT typically occurs before HCT and is influenced by many factors related to patients, physicians and the transplant per se. These factors can impede the consent process and subsequently result in a failure of proper engagement in and an understanding of the procedure with resultant adverse consequences influencing patients and even the patient-physician relationship. We contend that informed consent is a dynamic and ongoing process and that better patient education can assist in the decision making, fulfill the ethical principle of respect for autonomy and engage the patient to maximize compliance and adherence to therapy. This manuscript reviews the key literature pertaining to the decision-making and consent process in HCT and proposes guidelines for improving the consent process. Strategies for improving patient comprehension, engagement and enhancing consent forms are discussed.

Author List

D'Souza A, Pasquini M, Spellecy R

Authors

Anita D'Souza MD Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Marcelo C. Pasquini MD, MS Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Ryan Spellecy PhD Assistant Provost, Director, Professor in the Institute for Health and Humanity department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Ethics
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Humans
Informed Consent
Patient Compliance
Physician-Patient Relations