You have every right to ask questions, to receive information, and to participate in choosing the care you will receive. Asking questions and receiving information are the basis of giving informed consent for any medical procedure, including anaesthesia.

What does ‘informed consent’ mean ?

In many countries, including Canada and Australia, your doctor is obliged to give you the opportunity to know about the risks of the anaesthetic (or operation) that are serious or material risks. The discussion that you have with your anaesthetist should include the possibility of a choice of anaesthetic method (if appropriate) and the risks and benefits associated with the choices. Only then should you agree or consent to undergo examination or treatment.

Having agreed to have the examination or treatment, you are then required to sign a piece of paper which describes the examination or treatment. Your signature should be dated and witnessed. This is known as giving written consent. However, written consent is normally obtained only for the operation or procedure for which an anaesthetic must be given. In Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom, a separate written consent for anaesthesia is not routinely obtained. This means that written consent for the operation includes consent for the anaesthetic. Occasionally, you may be asked to give separate written informed consent for the anaesthetic. This might occur if you agreed to undergo a technique that is not routinely carried out or one that involves considerable or unusual risk.

In fact, the piece of paper that you (and all patients) sign is only that – a piece of paper—although it is a very important one in the hospital admission process. What is more important is the discussion which you have with the treating doctor before signing the form. This discussion enables you to give consent on the basis that you understand the treatment and implications to your satisfaction. The consent you give after this kind of discussion is called informed consent.

What if you don’t want to have the operation ?

If you have second thoughts, even at the last minute, you should discuss them with your surgeon and your anaesthetist. Ultimately, the decision as to whether or not to proceed with the operation is yours.