Reference no: EM133635964
Question: Three patients are all having the same procedure done to correct a ruptured lumbar disc at L4 - L5. The first is an elderly individual with little formal education, another is a 25-year-old auto mechanic with dyslexia, and the final is a paramedic with 15 years of experience. How would you change what you say and do for each patient to be sure they received enough explanation to make an informed consent?
Initial Post - Each individual case, more or less information is needed or different details are needed to be given. There is no algorithm to know how much information is enough to give. Each patient has a different level of knowledge. The patient needs to be given as much information needed to make an informed decision on their procedure. The nature of the treatment, the expected benefits, the risks and possible side effects, the likely consequences of not having the treatment, and any alternative courses of action all need to be explained. When speaking to the elderly individual, it is important the patient understands and can hear what we are explaining to them. I would use simple vocabulary due to her limited education. With the 25 yr old auto mechanic, it is important to explain the side effects. Being an auto mechanic uses a lot of back work, so he needs to understand the possible risks. It is also important, since he has dyxlexia, that he understands all the paperwork and consents we give him to read and sign. I would read the paperwork to him, so he fully understands. The communication with the paramedic would be the most straightforward. I would give him all the information and let him make an informed decision. Since he has 15 years' experience in the medical field, I believe he would understand a lot of the information given to him.
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