Objective: In an age of information, people have access to but may not always absorb pertinent data. Many people do not read contracts before signing them. Perhaps they do not read consent forms and may not have legally consented to treatment.
The objective of this study was to ascertain whether people felt they understood the treatment on offer sufficiently to agree to it and to engage with the process.
Methods: The study was conducted in a private physiotherapy and acupuncture practice. A4 tri-folded information leaflets were placed on chairs in the treatment cubicles – four in each cubicle and left in situ for four months. During that time patients had the opportunity to read and take away the leaflets.
At the end of the four-month period patients were asked to complete a questionnaire to ascertain whether they had seen the leaflets and their response to them. Two hundred questionnaires were completed by patients who had attended during the four-month period. The results form the basis of the study and informs how we impart information to people.
Results: Of the two hundred participants, one hundred and five (105) had had no experience of acupuncture before attending for treatment at this clinic. Ninety-five (95) had experience of the treatment.
One hundred and thirty-four (134 (67%)) people had not seen the leaflets in the treatment area. Sixty-six (66) people had seen a leaflet and thirty-eight (38) had read it.
One hundred and sixty-five (165) people asked about treatment during their treatment session. One hundred and ninety-seven (197) knew they could refuse treatment at any time. One hundred and ninety-eight (198) knew acupuncture involved the use of sterile needles and one hundred and ninety-two (192) knew they were single-use disposable needles.
Conclusions: People showed an understanding of the treatment options. The majority asked the physiotherapist about the treatment rather than read about it. People observed the treatment technique and engaged with the process. Overall they felt safe and knew they could refuse treatment at any time.
Implications: It would appear, that it is beneficial for physiotherapists to spend time before and during treatment sessions explaining treatment protocols and reassuring patients about the efficacy of what we do. We need to be aware of patients' ability to understand the process. In this way, we can be more confident of informed consent.
Keywords: Acupuncture safety consent Ethical approval not sought – this was a practice audit with permission sought from each patient.
