EXPERIENCES OF PATIENTS UNDERGOING EMERGENCY SURGERY AND NEXT OF KIN ON
DECISION MAKING DURING THE INFORMED CONSENT PROCESS IN TWO TERTIARY
TEACHING HOSPITALS OF A LOW-INCOME AFRICAN COUNTRY: A QUALITATIVE STUDY
Abstract
Background: In emergency situations, patients and their next of
kin must make complex medical and ethical decisions in a quick and
timely way.
Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted among 22 patients and
17 next of kin of patients who had undergone emergency surgery within 24
-72hrs at two tertiary teaching hospitals. Responses about
decision-making were coded into four themes; decision makers, people
consulted, documentation of the consent, and factors influencing
decision making.
Results: Most patients and next of kin made decisions on their
own and personally documented the consent for themselves or their
patient for the next of kin. Other family members and doctors were
consulted during the decision-making process. Decision making was
influenced by assurance of good outcomes of surgery and disclosure by
the doctors.
Conclusion: Decisions were made collaboratively with the patient
at the centre but with input from health personnel, the next of kin, and
other family members.