Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41673630›Full record

ArticleBMC medical ethics2026

The informed consent process for surgical procedures: perspectives of patients and next-of-kins in a lower middle-income country.

Josephine Nsaful, Dzifa Attah, Promise E Sefogah, Florence Dedey, Antoinette Bediako-Bowan, Joachim Amoako, Solomon Kofi Amoah, Irene Baaba Donkoh, Joe-Nat Clegg-Lamptey

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Article in BMC medical ethics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Josephine NsafulDepartment of Surgery, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana Medical School, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Dzifa AttahDepartment of Psychiatry, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana Medical School, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana. daattah@ug.edu.gh.
Promise E SefogahDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana Medical School, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Florence DedeyDepartment of Surgery, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana Medical School, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Antoinette Bediako-BowanDepartment of Surgery, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana Medical School, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Joachim AmoakoDepartment of Surgery, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana Medical School, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Solomon Kofi AmoahDepartment of Sociology, School of Social Sciences, College of Humanities, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Irene Baaba DonkohPsychology Unit, Medical Affairs Directorate, University of Ghana Medical Centre, Accra, Ghana.
Joe-Nat Clegg-LampteyDepartment of Surgery, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana Medical School, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.

Funding

University of Ghana Research Fund #UGRF/14/MGC-001/2022-2023University of Ghana Research Fund, #UGRF/14/MGC-001/2022-2023
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe informed consent process is a mandatory requirement for surgical procedures that enables patients to exercise autonomy and make informed decisions concerning their medical care, fully aware of the consequences. However, emerging evidence suggests inconsistent adherence to this requirement.

aimThis study investigated patients' and next-of-kins perspectives and experiences of the informed consent process following the completion of a surgical procedure.

methodsUsing a qualitative approach, patients and next-of-kins who had consented or offered proxy consent on behalf of a patient to undergo surgical procedures at a teaching hospital's surgical departments in Ghana were purposively recruited. We audio-recorded and transcribed 30 semi-structured interviews with 15 patients and 15 next-of-kins. Two members of the team conducted an independent thematic analysis of the data, guided by Braun and Clarke's six-step approach.

resultsThe data analysis generated four key themes related to the context, key elements, influencing factors, perceptions, and experiences of the informed consent process. The informed consent process took place in varied hospital settings, largely in the presence of next-of-kins and typically facilitated by a team of medical professionals, under private conditions where possible. Family opinion, doctors' paternalism and trust in the doctor's expertise seemed to be major factors that influenced the decision-making process. However, when conflicts emerged, the patient's choice and best interest remained paramount in the final decision. The consent process often involved discussions regarding the medical condition, treatment options, and potential risks; participant experiences of these deliberations showed variability. Issues of time constraints, poor doctor-client communication, and language barriers often complicated the informed consent experience.

conclusionPatient experiences of the informed consent process varied, which points to the importance of standardized guidelines and a more patient-centered approach. This approach should encourage continued collaboration and effective communication between medical professionals and patients/next-of-kins, while upholding the patient's right to make an informed surgical decision.

Indexed as

Decision MakingFamilyInformed ConsentSurgical Procedures, OperativeAdultAgedDeveloping CountriesFemaleGhanaHumansMaleMiddle AgedPaternalismPersonal AutonomyPhysician-Patient RelationsQualitative ResearchGhanaInformed consentPatient autonomySurgical procedures

Identifiers

PMID41673630
PMCPMC12997866

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