GI Unit Leadership: Optimizing Endoscopy Operations through Leadership (Virtual) | February 2025-ASGE guideline

ASGE guideline_informed consent

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The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has issued updated guidelines on obtaining informed consent for GI endoscopic procedures. Informed consent, rooted in ethical principles of autonomy and self-determination, is deemed essential prior to conducting medical procedures. The ASGE's guidelines focus on refining the informed consent process based on the latest legal standards and clinical research, aiming to improve patient-physician communication during these procedures.<br /><br />The guidelines underscore the importance of practitioners being well-versed in their state's legal standards for informed consent, as legal requirements can differ across regions. The document explains that informed consent involves a comprehensive discussion where healthcare providers inform patients about the procedure's purpose, benefits, and risks, as well as alternatives, allowing patients to make informed decisions about their healthcare.<br /><br />Furthermore, ASGE encourages using various resources, including video materials, to enhance the consent process, particularly in direct-access endoscopy where patients meet the endoscopist on the procedure day itself. It recognizes that consent can be appropriately obtained by any knowledgeable and qualified member of the GI team, not just by the performing endoscopist. <br /><br />Additionally, the document addresses obtaining consent for off-label or non-FDA-approved procedures, asserting that this should be part of the informed consent process. Special situations, such as emergency procedures, may require flexibility in obtaining consent, but documentation remains crucial.<br /><br />The guidelines also emphasize age-appropriate consent and assent processes for pediatric patients and acknowledge challenges like language barriers, offering guidance on involving interpreters when necessary. Despite these broad guidelines, the document stresses that clinical decisions should account for individual circumstances, expertise, and patient's values, rather than serving as strict rules.

Keywords

ASGE

informed consent

GI endoscopic procedures

patient-physician communication

legal standards

video materials

off-label procedures

pediatric consent

language barriers

clinical decisions