Skriftlig patientinformation

Objective To develop written standardized patient informations for operations in gynaecology and obstetrics. Material and methods A working group in the Danish Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology contacted in 1992 twelve colleagues in order to elaborate primary written informations. These were reviewed and discussed on a one day meeting with participants from the gynaecological and obstetrical departments in Denmark. Results Two set of informations were established. One for the patients and one for colleagues. The latter included more technical informations, exact complication rates and important references. Discussions in the working group and at the meeting had the following operationalisings as the result The informations are an offer which may be used in their existing form, changed by the department or thrown away. Informations about risks were given verbally, not by exact figures, and only complications occurring more frequent than 1 (not serious) and l‰ (serious) were indicated. Clinicians seem collectively able to make informations which are easy to read without the use of external consultants. Different practice at different departments is not a hindrance if this variation is recognized and handled. Illustrations are not an imperative. Computerization is a condition for a cost effective distributions of revisable informations. Conclusion It is possible, may be even useful to elaborate standardized patient informations within selected clinical areas. This demands a collective effort and a pragmatic balance between an optimal and a possible solution.