Informed consent - Survey of Auckland, NZ anaesthetists' practice and attitudes

Auckland anaesthetists were surveyed. Of these, 68% obtain. written informed consent, 67% are familiar with the New Zealand Medical Council's statement on informed consent, and 57% believe that they conform with this statement in their practice. 4% of anaesthetists always warn their patients of the possibility of death, 9% never do. 87% warn of minor complications such as vomiting, 28% warn of possible awareness, 27% of possible paralysis with spinal or epidural. 83% felt that some form of risk-disclosing anaesthetic information leaflet would be of value for elective patients. After perusing a proposed information leaflet, 40% answered "yes" they would be happy for it to be combined with the non-risk-specific anaesthetic information currently given to patients, 23% answered "yes, with reservations': 18% answered "yes, if modified first": 13% "no, only if the patient asks to know more about risks': and 5% "no, not to any patient".