In more than 70% of legal disputes over informed consent, patients allege the doctor failed to properly explain the risks of complications, a study published in the latest Medical Journal of Australia has found.
The authors reviewed nearly 2000 negligence claims against doctors insured by Avant Mutual Group Limited and complaints lodged with the Health Services Commissioner of Victoria between January 2002 and December 2008.
In 71% of these cases the primary allegation was that the doctor, most often a surgeon, failed to mention or properly explain risks of complications.
Read more at The University of Melbourne