Recall of informed consent is not affected by the timing of obtaining informed consent before any procedure.

Evidence: Sixty patients scheduled for colonoscopy or esophagogastroduodenoscopy were recruited in a prospective, randomized study. Each patient received informed consent 24-72 hours or immediately prior to the procedure, and follow-up was done 1-3 days after the procedure. No statistically significant difference could be observed in the recall of informed consent or the individual elements of informed consent, including indication, risks, benefits, alternatives, between the two groups. The study concluded that recall of informed consent is similar, whether consent is obtained immediately or several days prior to endoscopic procedures.

Reference

1. Elfant AB, Korn C, Mendez L, et al. Recall of informed consent after endoscopic procedures. Dis Colon Rectum 1995;38(1):1-3.