Wouter Leclercq

Chapter 9 150 CONSIDERATION We had to make choices when creating our form. We were looking for a balance between perfection and practical feasibility. This has led to a general form that is easy to implement. At a later stage, operation-specific forms could be created, adding additional characteristic elements. The selection of a digital form is logical, given the progressive digitisation of healthcare. Digital data is easy to store and trace. The ability to print a form and have it checked by the patient can increase patient involvement and safety. The signing of a SIC form by the patient is not necessary and should only be done in exceptional cases, to avoid unnecessary formalisation of the patient-doctor relationship. Oral consent from the patient, along with a detailed medical record documented by the physician, is usually sufficient. 7,15 An exception can be made for very drastic or experimental treatments. A more important aspect is clearly defining who the surgeon will be. Uncertainty about this can contribute to patient dissatisfaction. 23 We want to emphasize that the proposed SIC form is a tool. This may be insufficient for certain patients or conditions. A SIC form never releases the physician from their obligation to monitor the quality of the entire SIC process and, if necessary, to adapt it to the circumstances of the individual patient. Our research of the current use of forms for preoperative informed consent has limitations. Not all departments cooperated, and due to a lack of clarity of the submitted forms, these were sometimes difficult to assess. The SIC form presented here has not yet been tested with an effect measurement either. The form is intended as a well-reasoned and substantiated suggestion for practice. We suggest that several hospitals implement this form, after which an evaluation can take place.