BMJ 1995;310:936-937 (8 April)

Letters

Fact sheets may be useful

EDITOR,--John Mitchell and others discuss what seems an amazing decision by the General Medical Council's professional conduct committee.1 A consultant anaesthetist practising as his peers do was found guilty of insufficient explanation, assault on the patient, and serious professional misconduct beyond reasonable doubt; the dentist was also similarly found guilty by the General Dental Council. Although this seems outrageous, we should read the transcripts carefully before reaching any conclusion.

It is implied that these decisions go beyond just the use of diclofenac suppositories and that the decision has "considerable resource implications for the NHS." I agree with the former but disagree with the latter.

I have always taught that any manoeuvre or drug that may reasonably be expected to affect the postoperative period should be discussed with the patient preoperatively. This would include intravenous and intra-arterial cannulation (bruising and pain); endotracheal intubation (sore throat); post-operative pain relief (numbness, discomfort); nausea . . . [Full text of this article]


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Relevant Article

A fundamental problem of consent
John Mitchell
BMJ 1995 310: 43-46. [Extract] [Full Text]

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