Earlier this year, a discussion of the concept of informed consent was published (see Optician 15.05.20). This explained what is meant by the term ‘informed consent,’ looked at why it is important, how it is obtained from patients of varying mental capacity, and the existing legislation which practitioners need to abide by. This is now the source material for the first in a series of interactive exercises designed to generate discussion about how the concept of informed consent applies to everyday eye care practice.
The article is available here: http://fplreflib.findlay.co.uk/images/optician/pdf/Navigating%20informed%20consent.pdf. Once familiar with it, you will be asked to complete six multiple choice questions. Having done so, you may then consider a case scenario.
- Dr Nizar Hirji is Optometrist Consultant, Hirji Associates, Birmingham. He was formerly: Visiting Professor of Optometry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Manchester University, Manchester; Dept of Optometry & Visual Science, City University, London; and School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine.