The assessment of the knowledge of surgical patients and their understanding of informed consent for elective surgical interventions in operating-rooms at public training hospitals, Windhoek, Khomas region, Namibia
| dc.contributor.author | Ngaujake-Kavari, Colleen | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2019-07-08T13:15:30Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2019-07-08T13:15:30Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2019 | |
| dc.description | A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the Degree of Master of Nursing Science | en_US |
| dc.description.abstract | A majority of patients do not fully understand their health, diagnosis, proposed treatment/procedure and possible risks because of limited knowledge on the importance of informed consent according to previous studies. It has been noted at Windhoek Central Hospital operating rooms that patients may sign informed consent form without knowledge and understanding of what they have signed for. The aim of this study was therefore to assess surgical patients’ knowledge and understanding of the informed consent process for elective surgical interventions in operating rooms at public training hospitals in Windhoek. A quantitative, descriptive and analytical study was conducted among surgical patients using structured questionnaires and data was analysed numerically through statistical procedures. A total of 80 participants were recruited using systematic random sampling method at Windhoek Central Hospital and Intermediate Hospital Katutura operating rooms. Regarding surgical patients’ knowledge and understanding of informed consent process for surgical interventions, findings revealed that the majority of surgical patient (45%) indicated they did not understand the information written on the informed consent form. Most of the patients just signed the informed consent form without understanding its function. Furthermore, regarding ethical concept, the study revealed that a majority of surgical patient (87.5%) did not receive appropriate information on the nature, risk, alternatives and benefits of the operation to be performed. The level of education of the participants was shown to significantly affect the knowledge and understanding of the informed consent process. The study concluded that the surgical patient knowledge is limited which seems to contributes to poor understanding regarding the informed consent process. The level of knowledge and understanding was not different between the two state hospitals. The study also revealed incorrect and incomplete recordings on the informed consent form which is regarded as illegal, unethical and an act of misconduct because the form is regarded as a legal document. The study recommends drafting of a policy to guide the informed consent process which will improve patients’ knowledge and understanding of the process. The study also recommends improvements and standardisation of the informed process in the two hospitals to improve patient knowledge and understanding. Regular refresher courses on informed consent process including how to complete the form are also recommended for all healthcare workers. | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/11070/2588 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
| dc.publisher | University of Namibia | en_US |
| dc.subject | Surgical patients | en_US |
| dc.subject | Elective surgical interventions | en_US |
| dc.title | The assessment of the knowledge of surgical patients and their understanding of informed consent for elective surgical interventions in operating-rooms at public training hospitals, Windhoek, Khomas region, Namibia | en_US |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_US |