Table 1 . Responses to the questions regarding knowledge of the key aspects of the SIC (n= 231) .
| Junior doctors (n= 199) | Senior doctors (n= 32) | |
| For which type of surgical procedure the SIC should be sought? | ||
| All procedures | 39 (19.59%) | 27 (84.37%) |
| Elective ones | 43 (21.60%) | - |
| Emergency cases only | 117 (58.79%) | 2 (6.25%) |
| Critical cases only | - | 3 (9.37%) |
| Others | - | - |
| Patient of what age do you think is able to give a valid SIC? | ||
| All ages | 127 (63.81%) | - |
| Patients aged above 14 | 56 (28.14%) | 26 (81.25%) |
| Depending on the individual’s intelligence | 3 (1.50%) | 5 (15.62%) |
| Depending on clinical judgment of maturity | 6 (3.01%) | 1 (3.12%) |
| Others | 7 (3.51%) | - |
| Do you inform your patient on the following? | ||
| The diagnosis and indication of operation | 163 (81.90%) | 32 (100%) |
| The surgical procedure | 93 (46.73%) | 32 (100%) |
| Likely complications | 3 (1.50%) | 13 (40.62%) |
| Alternative treatment options | 1 (0.50%) | 4 (12.50%) |
| Others | - | - |
| Are the following items required in the SIC (elements of consent) | ||
| Evaluation of competence | - | 2 (6.25%) |
| Patient education | - | 1 (0.50%) |
| Recording of consent | 113 (56.78%) | 25 (78.12%) |
| Patients’ signature | 139 (69.84%) | 21 (65.62%) |
| Surgeons’ signature | 4 (2.01%) | - |
| Others | - | - |
| Are you aware of the NEIC? | ||
| Yes | - | - |
| No | 199 (100%) | 32 (100%) |
| Others | - | - |
| Do you think the process of SIC has any impact on the well-being of you patients? | ||
| Yes | - | - |
| No | 199 (100%) | 32 (100%) |
| Others | - | - |
| Did you ever receive any formal training on the process of SIC? | ||
| Yes | - | - |
| No | 199 (100%) | 32 (100%) |
| Others | - | - |
SIC= Surgical Informed Consent; NEIC= Nocebo Effect of Informed Consent