What information should be given to patients undergoing therapeutic endoscopy?

Doctors and other health professionals should always offer information to patients about the risks, benefits and alternatives to the treatment or examination proposed. Such information should be offered in a timely fashion and in a form understandable to the patient. The professional should assess the patients' ability to comprehend and to make a judgement if their consent is to be valid. Patients occasionally may refuse the offer, but this refusal does not exonerate the doctor from pointing out serious hazards. Discussions of risk must be made in a friendly manner and the patient's questions invited. Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel