A comparison of techniques: informed consent for resident involvement in cataract surgery

OBJECTIVE: To compare three different techniques of obtaining informed patient consent and the relative acceptance rates for resident involvement in cataract surgery. The techniques differed with regards to physician-patient interaction, and how resident involvement was presented. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study in a tertiary care ophthalmology department with a recently established residency training program. PARTICIPANTS: 356 patients undergoing informed consent procedure for cataract surgery. METHODS: Charts of all patients undergoing cataract surgery by 3 cataract surgeons from October 2009 to March 2010 were reviewed. Patient demographics, the documentation of a specific request for resident participation, and the patient response were recorded. Response rates were analyzed between the three different techniques/surgeons. RESULTS: Consent to resident participation was found to range from 21% to 86%. Higher acceptance rates were associated with direct personal conversation between surgeon and patient. CONCLUSION: High acceptance rates for resident involvement in cataract surgery can be achieved with full disclosure of resident involvement to patients.