Patient perception of consent processes for epidural analgesia in induction of labour: a qualitative study
Authors' conclusion
Women's experiences of the consent process for induction of labour suggest that in the context of the pain and exhaustion of labour, inadequate and untimely information provision and dialogue between women and their anaesthetists can undermine the implementation of lawful consent.
Study context
- Population
- Women who received an epidural for labour analgesia during induction of labour
- Participants
- 14 women
- Outcome
- Women's perception of the consent process for epidural analgesia during induction of labour
Methodological detailssingle-centre, interview-based, semi-structured interviews, thematic analysis
- Single-centre
- Interview-based
- Semi-structured interviews
- Thematic analysis
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Themes of women's experience of the consent process
- Understanding alternatives, risks and benefits: time constraints hindered effective communication of information on epidural analgesia, incl. alternative analgesic options
- Timing of information: value of information diminished by pain, fatigue and imminence of the procedure
- Timing of consent: physiological and psychological demands of labour negatively impacted ability to engage with the consent process
- Anaesthetists' assessment of patient understanding: confirmation of patient understanding by anaesthetists was lacking
- 4 themes
Original publication
Patient perception of consent processes for epidural analgesia in induction of labour: a qualitative study. Anaesthesia. Published 12 May 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →