FIGO best practice guidance in surgical consent

• Published in: International journal of gynecology and obstetrics Vol. 163; no. 3; pp. 795 - 812
• Main Authors: Topcu, E. Goknur, McClenahan, Phil, Pule, Koketso, Khattak, Hajra, Karsli, S. Eda, Cukelj, Marijo, Ubom, Akaninyene E., Algurjia, Esraa, Ozpinar, Kubra, Perez, Yotin Ramon, Bunu, Rashid, Sanabria, Leopoldo S., Portilla, Francisco J. R., Pumpure, Elizabete, Roy, Priyankur, Fogarty, Paul, Descamps, Philippe, Conry, Jeanne, Kihara, Anne‐Beatrice, Lumsden, Mary Ann, Louwen, Frank
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.12.2023
• Subjects: cesarean section; consent; delivery; gynecology; hysterectomy; hysteroscopy; laparoscopy; myomectomy; obstetrics; surgery
• ISSN: 0020-7292; 1879-3479
• DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.15174

Obtaining medical consent preoperatively is one of the key steps in preparing for surgery, and is an important step in informed decision making with the patient. According to good medical practice guidelines, doctors are required to have the knowledge and skills to treat patients as well as inform them, respect their wishes, and establish trust between themselves and their patients. Valid consent includes elements of competence, disclosure, understanding, and voluntariness. Documentation of these elements is also very important. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Education Communication and Advocacy Consortium (ECAC) has realized that the quality of consent varies considerably across the world and has developed simple guidelines regarding consent and procedure‐specific checklists for the most common obstetric and gynecological procedures. Synopsis To standardize medical care, it is important to understand what constitutes good consent. FIGO has endorsed this guidance for the most common obstetric and gynecological procedures.