Describing risks for a particular treatment is a complicated task, but one that physicians must learn how to do effectively to ensure that the patient can make an informed decision, according to a Medscape report.
Additionally, if a physician does not describe risks effectively, it could land them in legal trouble.
Here are three tips for describing risks clearly and effectively, according to the report:
1. Watch how you say it. Physicians need to look the patient in the eye when discussing treatment risk, and also remember the emotional component of the discussion.
2. Ask, tell, ask. This approach involves asking patients to describe what they know about a treatment before describing the treatment to them as part of the consent process. Then ask patients to reiterate what you have to tell them to make sure they understand.
3. Laying out the risks. Physicians need to have a conversation with patients in which they lay out the procedure, alternatives, benefits, risks and complications to make sure they understand fully.
Also, physicians should look into their state's regulations regarding informed consent as well as give their patients handouts, audio and videotapes that provide comprehensive information regarding the treatment, according to the report.
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