RESUMO
To assess the amount of information provided pre-operatively by the doctors/nurses to the patients undergoing surgery and to relate understanding of this information with the educational status of the patient and their anxiety levels. Descriptive study. Surgical Units of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, From November 2012 to April 2013. A set of standardized questions were asked relating to patient's knowledge about the informed consent process, their education level and its impact on the understanding of informed consent as well as the impact of language of the consent form on the patient's interpretation of the information provided. Out of 291 patients, 168[58.1%] patients signed the consent form themselves. Two hundred eight two [96.9%] patients were aware of the type of surgery they had to undergo. Two hundred and nine [71%] patients knew that it was their legal right to have their consent taken by the doctor before any surgery. Fifty six patients understood the consent form completely. Out of 56 patients who understood the consent form, 39 individuals had an education level of at or above matriculation. Thirty three consents were taken by operating surgeon or residents that significantly decreased the anxiety level. Most of the patients were aware of the importance of consent process as their legal right. High education level improved the understanding of the process