Understanding Medical Students’ Concerns about Explicit Informed Consent for Pelvic Exams Under Anesthesia

• Published in: Journal of surgical education 2024-01, Vol.81 (1), p.64-69
• Main Authors: Zuchelkowski, Benjamin E., Eljamri, Soukaina, Stern, Natalie G., Arora, Kavita Shah, Chang, Judy C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anesthesia; ethics; Female; Gynecological Examination; Gynecology - education; health policy; Humans; Informed Consent; medical education; pelvic exams; Students, Medical
• ISSN: 1931-7204; 1878-7452; 1878-7452
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2023.09.004

•The study examined medical students’ concerns over explicit informed consent for pelvic exams under anesthesia.•Five key themes emerged from medical student responses regarding their rationale for not endorsing explicit consent.•Some of the key themes reflect those existing in the literature. Medical student involvement in procedures, including pelvic exams under anesthesia (EUAs), is a fundamental part of medical education. While guidelines exist regarding informed consent for medical student participation, there is ongoing debate and uncertainty regarding the requirement and modality of obtaining explicit consent for pelvic EUAs. This study aims to explore the perceptions and experiences of medical students who do not favor an explicit informed consent process for pelvic EUAs. An anonymous online questionnaire was distributed to third- and fourth-year medical students at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine who had completed their obstetrics and gynecology core clerkship. The questionnaire included both quantitative and qualitative sections. Qualitative analysis was conducted using a mixed inductive and deductive coding approach, with key patterns, categories, and themes identified through content analysis. Among the 201 students included in the analysis, 50 students did not endorse an explicit informed consent process for pelvic EUAs. Themes that emerged from their open-ended responses included: (1) the belief that medical student involvement is implicitly included in patient agreements at teaching hospitals; (2) the perception that pelvic EUAs are an essential first step in gynecologic surgery; (3) the view that pelvic EUAs are comparable to other medical procedures; (4) concern that explicit consent would limit educational opportunities; and (5) the belief that pelvic EUAs are not harmful or traumatic to patients. The findings highlight the justifications provided by medical students who do not support explicit informed consent for pelvic EUAs. While some arguments align with previous ethical analyses, this study provides empirical and qualitative insights into students' perspectives. The belief that patients implicitly consent to medical student involvement at teaching hospitals warrants further examination, as patient awareness and understanding may vary. The differentiation between pelvic exams and other EUAs, as well as the perception of minimal harm, should be critically evaluated in the context of trauma-informed care and patient aut