Journal of Perioperative Nursing
Informed or Assumed? Ethical Gaps in Surgical Consent Practices in Low-Resource Settings: A Narrative Review
By Saeid Amini Rarani.
Abstract
Background
The aim of this study is to examine the ethical gaps in surgical consent practices in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and identify the challenges in implementing informed consent principles in these settings. The article seeks to propose strategies for improving surgical consent processes specifically in LMICs.
Methods
This study follows a narrative literature review approach, synthesizing existing research on informed consent practices in LMICs. A comprehensive search was conducted across databases such as PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science for relevant articles. Inclusion criteria involved qualitative and quantitative studies addressing ethical considerations and systemic and cultural barriers in the surgical consent process. Data were analysed using the four principles of biomedical ethics: autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice.
