Biomaterial Database

Informed consent in optometric institutions. 1994

D L Werner

State University of New York, State College of Optometry, NY 10010.

BACKGROUND Modern bioethics has been traced to the interaction of advanced medical technology and the patient's rights movement. A fundamental principle of bioethics is the autonomy which allows patients to exercise personal judgment in their health decisions. The process used to exercise this choice is informed consent and its documentation is the consent form. METHODS A survey was undertaken of the schools and colleges of optometry in order to learn more about patient autonomy in teaching institutions. RESULTS Some institutions feel uncomfortable with the process of informed consent and use of the consent form. Research areas were most compliant. Contact lens and ocular disease clinics were compliant. CONCLUSIONS Review of consent forms had little value in evaluating the ethics process and education taking place in clinics.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007258	Informed Consent	Voluntary authorization, by a patient or research subject, with full comprehension of the risks involved, for diagnostic or investigative procedures, and for medical and surgical treatment.	Consent, Informed
D009907	Optometry	The professional practice of primary eye and vision care that includes the measurement of visual refractive power and the correction of visual defects with lenses or glasses.	Optometries
D010358	Patient Participation	Patient involvement in the decision-making process in matters pertaining to health.	Patient Activation,Patient Empowerment,Patient Engagement,Patient Involvement,Patient Participation Rates,Activation, Patient,Empowerment, Patient,Engagement, Patient,Involvement, Patient,Participation Rate, Patient,Participation Rates, Patient,Participation, Patient,Patient Participation Rate
D004995	Ethics, Professional	The principles of proper conduct concerning the rights and duties of the professional, relations with patients or consumers and fellow practitioners, as well as actions of the professional and interpersonal relations with patient or consumer families. (From Stedman, 25th ed)	Professional Ethics,Ethic, Professional,Professional Ethic
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012576	Schools, Health Occupations	Schools which offer training in the area of health.	Health Occupations Schools,Health Occupations School,Occupations School, Health,Occupations Schools, Health,School, Health Occupations
D017009	Professional Autonomy	The quality or state of being independent and self-directing, especially in making decisions, enabling professionals to exercise judgment as they see fit during the performance of their jobs.	Self Regulation, Professional,Autonomy, Professional,Professional Self Regulation,Regulation, Professional Self
D026684	Personal Autonomy	Self-directing freedom and especially moral independence. An ethical principle holds that the autonomy of persons ought to be respected. (Bioethics Thesaurus)	Autonomy, Personal,Free Will,Self Determination
D030881	Disclosure	Revealing of information, by oral or written communication.	Financial Disclosure,Information Disclosure,Disclosure, Financial,Disclosure, Information,Disclosures, Financial,Financial Disclosures
D032962	Consent Forms	Documents describing a medical treatment or research project, including proposed procedures, risks, and alternatives, that are to be signed by an individual, or the individual's proxy, to indicate his/her understanding of the document and a willingness to undergo the treatment or to participate in the research.	Consent Documents,Informed Consent Forms,Informed Consent Documents,Consent Document,Consent Document, Informed,Consent Documents, Informed,Consent Form,Document, Informed Consent,Documents, Informed Consent,Informed Consent Document,Informed Consent Form