109 / 240
surgeons may provide more generalizable results. Despite
these limitations, the current study was the first to assess
recall rates through objective assessments (video recordings)
of what was actually discussed during the consultation.
Conclusion
Parents of children considering elective pediatric otolaryn-
gology operations recalled less than half of the surgical
risks and benefits mentioned during the informed consent
discussion. The decision to proceed with surgery as com-
pared with watchful waiting was associated with a poorer
recall of surgical risks. Parents were likely seeking informa-
tion from other sources about the surgical procedure. This
information is significant because a low rate of recall may
influence parents’ perspectives of the procedure and could
alter their decision-making processes or expectations. Future
studies should assess methods to increase recall and under-
standing of the information shared during the informed con-
sent process.
Acknowledgments
We thank the nurses for their support and time and the families
who participated in the study.
Author Contributions
Kiersten Pianosi
, collected and analyzed data, wrote article,
revised article;
Ayala Y. Gorodzinsky
, designed study, analyzed
data, revised article;
Jill MacLaren Chorney
, designed study, col-
lected and analyzed data, revised article;
Gerard Corsten
,
designed study, collected data, revised article;
Liane B. Johnson
,
designed study, collected data, revised article;
Paul Hong
,
designed study, collected and analyzed data, revised article.
Disclosures
Competing interests:
None.
Sponsorships:
None.
Funding source:
Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Nova
Scotia Health Research Foundation, and Dalhousie Department of
Surgery. No role in study.
Supplemental Material
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