Abstract

DIAS, Matilde Padrão et al. Informed consent for family planning - a quality improvement study. Rev Port Med Geral Fam [online]. 2014, vol.30, n.3, pp.168-172. ISSN 2182-5173.

Objectives: To increase the rate of obtaining informed consent for family planning procedures (insertion of intrauterine devices and subcutaneous contraceptive implants) Study design: Uncontrolled pre- and post- intervention design Setting: S. Julião Family Health Unit. Participants: Patients in the S. Julião FHU who visited the Unit for insertion of an intrauterine device or subcutaneous contraceptive implant. Methods: The S. Julião FHU team designed an informed consent form in August 2012 but usage rates were found to be low (62.5%). Focus groups were organized to propose quality improvement strategies to increase the rate of obtaining informed consent. Two post-intervention periods were defined: immediate (0 to 3 months) and late (4 to 6 months). The Fisher exact test was used to compare rates of informed consent obtained before and after the intervention. Results: Informed consent was obtained from 62,5% of patients in the pre-intervention period. Informed consent was obtained for 100% of family planning procedures during both the immediate and late post intervention periods (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Health professionals at S. Julião FHU were able to implement quality improvement strategies and to increase rates of obtaining informed consent. The efficacy of the intervention was due to involvement of all staff members. This strategy was only applied in one Family Health Unit, which may limit the external validity of the results. However, simple strategies may be effective in significantly increasing rates of obtaining informed consent in family planning procedures.

Keywords : Informed Consent; Family Planning; Quality Improvement.

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