The mole remains the same

doi:10.1136/bmj.a349

BMJ 2008;336:1391 (21 June), doi:10.1136/bmj.a349

Letters

Patient consent

The mole remains the same

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Elwyn’s comment is interesting as an appeal. However,one wonders whether this ideal is a factual elution or a wishlist.¹ I would like references for his statement that "Consentis often completed a few hours before the intended procedure."Does he mean the reaffirmation or the primary consent takingprocess? In hospital, the latter may be performed at preoperativeassessment, several weeks before the procedure.

Further, Elwyn’s idea of "a series of clinicians workingto a common goal" suggests more cooks to spoil the broth. Patientinformation sheets—with a copy retained on file to ensureeveryone knows the information imparted—are not mentioned.

Finally, there remains the illusion that consent taking is peculiarto hospital practice and involves a written form. How oftenis a consent form used for removal of tissue or intimate examinationin primary care, and how many dentists require a consent formto be completed to . . . [Full text of this article]

Jeffrey C McIlwain, consultant, clinical risk management

¹ St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

jeff.mcilwain@sthk.nhs.uk