Informed Consent Knowledge And Practices Among Nurses In A Tertiary Care Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Informed consent is a fundamental ethical and legal requirement in healthcare that safeguards patient autonomy and promotes shared decision-making. Nurses play a vital role in facilitating the informed consent process; however, challenges related to knowledge gaps, institutional barriers, and workload may affect its proper implementation. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge and practices regarding informed consent among nurses working in tertiary care hospitals in Lahore, Pakistan.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed. The study was conducted at Jinnah Hospital and Lahore General Hospital, Lahore. A total of 202 registered nurses were selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected through an adopted structured questionnaire consisting of 21 Likert-scale items assessing knowledge, practices, and perceived barriers related to informed consent. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25, and descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations, were calculated.

Results: The findings revealed that nurses demonstrated a moderate level of knowledge regarding informed consent, with a mean score of 3.13 (62.6%). Practice-related activities showed relatively higher engagement, with a mean score of 3.78 (75.6%), indicating that nurses frequently incorporated informed consent procedures into routine clinical care. However, moderate barriers (mean score 3.35; 67.0%) were reported, particularly concerning communication challenges and role boundaries. Notably, none of the participants had received prior formal training on informed consent.

Conclusion: The study concludes that while nurses routinely participate in informed consent practices, conceptual understanding and clarity regarding ethical and legal responsibilities require strengthening. Structured training programs, clear institutional guidelines, and supportive work environments are recommended to enhance informed consent practices and promote patient-centered ethical care.