The goal of this observational study is to evaluate the communication between the anesthesiologist and the patient prior the initiation and during the administration of the labor neuraxial analgesia. The investigators hypothesize that there will be differences among anesthesiologists during the informed consent process and communication during the procedure, specifically, how the anesthesiologists describe the technical aspects of the procedure, alternatives, risks, complications, and expected effects of labour neuraxial analgesia. The anesthesiologists will be observed during a routine labor neuraxial analgesia procedure for healthy uncomplicated patients.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
19
No interventions.
Department of Anesthesia at BC Women's Hospital, University of British Columbia.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
RECRUITINGInformed consent
Incidence of key elements (such as technique desciption, alternatives, risks, complications, and expected effects) during the consent process before the labour neuraxial analgesia procedure. This will be assessed using a structured observation checklist with dichotomous variables (yes/no).
Time frame: From the first contact with the patient before labour neuraxial analgesia until the procedure is finished.
Procedure description
Proportion of consent discussions in which the staff anesthesiologist described specific steps involved in administering labour neuraxial analgesia. Unit of measure: Percentage of specific consent discussions including each pre-defined procedural element using the data collection sheet (Appendix 3) during the observation of the consent process.
Time frame: During the standard clinical consent process provided to patients prior to the administration of labour neuraxial anesthesia.
Additional labour analgesia options
Proportion of specific consent discussions in which the staff anesthesiologist offered additional labour analgesia options. Unit of measure: percentage of specific consent discussions in which alternative analgesia options were offered using the data collection sheet (Appendix 3) to document whether alternatives were discussed and which options (if any) were offered.
Time frame: During the standard clinical consent process provided to patients prior to the administration of labour neuraxial analgesia.
Risks and complications
Proportion of specific consent discussion in which specific risks and complications of labour neuraxial analgesia were mentioned and described to the patient in further detail. Unit of measure: percentage of specific consent discussions mentioning each risk; proportion thoroughly described versus briefly mentioned using the data collection sheet (Appendix 3).
Time frame: During the standard clinical consent process provided to patients prior to the administration of labour neuraxial analgesia.
Anticipated effects
Proportion of specific consent discussions that included discussion of what the patient should expect after the labour neuraxial anesthesia procedure. Unit of measure: percentage of specific consent discussions where each anticipated effect was mentioned (pre- and/or post-procedure) using the data collection sheet (Appendix 3).
Time frame: During the standard clinical consent process provided to patients prior to the administration of labour neuraxial analgesia.
Patient information sheets
Proportion of specific consent discussion in which the staff anesthesiologist being observed mentioned or offered the use of patient information sheets on labour neuraxial analgesia. Unit of measure: percentage of specific consent discussion involving the use or mention of an information sheet, which will be noted on the data collection sheet (Appendix 3) throughout the observed consent process.
Time frame: During the standard clinical consent process provided to patients prior to the administration of labour neuraxial analgesia.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.