Legal Education and Informed Consent Quality among Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction Patients: A Mixed-Methods Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54518/rh.6.4.2026.1484Keywords:
Informed Consent, Legal Education, Mastectomy, Quality of Consent, Surgical ExperienceAbstract
Informed medical consent for mastectomy and breast reconstruction involves complex treatment decisions requiring adequate understanding, voluntary decision-making, and awareness of patients’ legal rights. This study examined the relationship between legal education and the quality of informed medical consent among patients undergoing mastectomy and breast reconstruction and explored factors shaping their consent experiences. A mixed-methods study involved 145 patients and 12 informants, with quantitative data analyzed using descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov–Smirnov, Spearman’s correlation, and multiple regression, and qualitative data thematically analyzed. Legal education showed a strong positive relationship with informed consent quality, with r² = 0.524. In the regression model, legal education demonstrated the strongest association, while education level was also significant. Age, type of surgery, and previous surgical experience were not significant. Qualitative findings identified time constraints, complex medical terminology, limited awareness of legal rights, and nurses’ supportive communication as important influences. Strengthening legal education and patient-centered communication may improve the quality of informed medical consent among mastectomy and breast reconstruction patients. These findings suggest that strengthening legal education and patient-centered communication may improve the quality of informed medical consent.
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