Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41024057›Full record

ArticleBMC medical ethics2025

Informed consent processes with First Nations peoples undergoing surgery or invasive procedures: a scoping review.

Camila A Kairuz Santos, Kate Hunter, Bianca Barnier, Bobby Porykali, Belinda Ford, Keziah Bennett-Brook, Tamara Mackean, Edward Litton, Jacquita S Affandi, Courtney Ryder and 3 more

Abstract readScoping Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in BMC medical ethics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Camila A Kairuz SantosThe George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia. ckairuzsantos@georgeinstitute.org.au.
Kate HunterThe George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Bianca BarnierThe George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Bobby PorykaliThe George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Belinda FordThe George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Keziah Bennett-BrookThe George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Tamara MackeanThe George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Edward LittonIntensive Care Unit, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch, Melville, WA, Australia.
Jacquita S AffandiCurtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
Courtney RyderThe George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Siva SenthuranTownsville University Hospital, Townsville, QLD, Australia.
Julieann CoombesThe George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
NOTACS investigators

Funding

Medical Research Future Fund International Clinical Trial Collaboration MRF2006100
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundInformed consent is a cornerstone of medical practice, however, is not always ethically obtained. For First Nations people, this can be hindered by different worldviews and health paradigms. Although best practice entails consideration of patient's cultural beliefs and needs, the extent towhich informed consent is adequately obtained from First Nations patients is unknown. We aimed to conduct a scoping review to map and analyse informed consent processes with First Nations peoples in Australia, New Zealand and North America who are undergoing surgery or an invasive medical procedure.

methodsA systematic search was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Health InfoNet. Google scholar and webpages of relevant medical organisations were manually searched. Descriptions of informed consent processes were analysed against the guidelines to obtaining informed consent of the respective jurisdictions in which the research was conducted. The experiences of First Nations people undergoing informed consent processes, impact of gaps, healthcare staff views and strategies to enhance informed consent were thematically analysed.

resultsNine qualitative studies were included. Processes reported failed to address all the considerations stated in the respective guidelines. Participants reported feeling coerced due to racism and power imbalances. Physicians tended to prioritise what they thought was better over patient's cultural values and protocols. Inadequate processes resulted in fear, disengagement of health services and negative impact on wellbeing. Engagement of professional interpreters, use of diagrams and workforce training that fosters reflective practice were found to enhance informed consent.

conclusionEvidence suggests that consent forms are often signed by patients who are not fully informed. For First Nations people, this is aggravated by language barriers, culturally different understanding of health and racism leading to coercion. Better assessment of informed consent processes with First Nations people, training and ongoing quality improvement are required to identify and address gaps. Partnership with First Nations people is required to enhance current guidelines and to develop strategies to ensure true informed consent.

Indexed as

Informed ConsentSurgical Procedures, OperativeAustraliaCultural CompetencyHumansNew ZealandNorth AmericaRacismEthicsFirst nations peopleInformed consentReviewSurgery

Identifiers

PMID41024057
PMCPMC12482695

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.