The Impact of Transition of Paper-Based Consent Forms to Digital Format on Dental Healthcare Efficiency

Year 2024, Volume: 14 Issue: 4, 1066 - 1075, 29.12.2024

Elif Aslan , Omer Berfu Komat , Asena Karatay , Mehmet Emin Kacar , Onur Mutlu , Elif Şener

https://doi.org/10.33808/clinexphealthsci.1494119

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the perceptions and attitudes of patients of different ages and education levels regarding the transition of paper-based consent forms to digital format.
Methods: Ninety-four patients were divided into three groups according to their age range (18–39, 40–59, over 60) as well as education level (primary/secondary school, high school, university). Participants were administered a digital consent form along with an online questionnaire aimed at determining perceptions and attitudes of patients towards paper-based and digital consent. Demographic data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Pearson’s Chi-Square test was used to compare the answer rates between patient groups categorized according to age ranges and educational levels (p=.05).
Results: 79.8% and 90.4% of participants reported that converting paper-based consent forms to digital format would be more advantageous for the workflow of healthcare services and in terms of functionality and usability, respectively. The proportion of participants stating they had sufficient knowledge about informed consent was higher in the university graduate group (p<.05). While 47.8% of the primary and/or secondary school graduates and 48.2% of high school graduates preferred written consent, 34.1% of the university graduate group was in favor of digital consent (p<.05). No other differences were obtained among patient groups regarding answers given to the questionnaire (p>.05).
Conclusions: Digital consent may provide advantages for the workflow and efficiency of healthcare services and the quality of consent process. However, using digital forms as a part of in-person dentist-patient communication may be more favorable in obtaining trust-based patient consent.

Keywords

Informed consent, digital conversion, digital consent, healthcare efficiency

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by Ethics Committee of Ege University University, Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Board (Approval date: 31.01.2023; Number: 1805)

Supporting Institution

This research was financially supported within the scope of TUBITAK 2209-B - Industry Oriented Research Project Support Programme for Undergraduate Students (Project no: 1139B412200720).

Project Number

1139B412200720

Thanks

We would like to thank TUBITAK Directorate of Science Fellowships and Grant Programmes (BIDEB) for providing the necessary funding and assistance for our research.

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