Recall of informed consent after endoscopic procedures

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine if recall of informed consent is affected by the timing of obtaining informed consent before endoscopic procedures. METHODS: Sixty patients scheduled for colonoscopy or esophagogastroduodenoscopy were enrolled in this prospective, randomized study. Each patient received informed consent 24 to 72 hours or immediately before the procedure, and follow-up occurred one to three days postprocedure. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in recall of informed consent or the individual elements of informed consent (indication, risks, benefits, alternatives) between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Recall of informed consent is similar whether consent is obtained immediately or several days before endoscopie procedures.Presented in part at the 10th World Congresses of Gastroenterology, Los Angeles, California, October 2 to 7, 1994.