Informed Consent and Tardive Dyskinesia Long-Term Follow-up

Abstract

Informed consent allows patients to make treatment decisions based on the best possible information. The current study examines the long-term impact of the informed consent process on schizophrenic patients. Patients were administered a baseline questionnaire and were given an information form, which was read aloud to them by the investigator. Patients were re-administered the questionnaire at 4 weeks and were randomly assigned to no review (single-session group) or a review of the information (educational review group). All patients were administered the questionnaire at 2-year follow-up. Both the single session and the educational review process significantly increase the schizophrenic patient's knowledge about the benefits and risks of neuroleptic medication. No previous study has examined the impact of informed consent for antipsychotic medication at 2-year follow-up.