Patients in most the cases not aware of the complete risks they might be facing during a treatment or procedure they are being subjected to. Findings in a recent research have raised concerns that doctors are failing to make patients acknowledge of the risks they may administer.

David Studdert from the University of Melbourne asserted that doctors are expected to make patients completely aware of the complete treatment, including the possible risks, before they make the final decision.

However, doctors at majority of the times are not aware as to which of the risk they should discuss with their patient before the treatment commences.

The study took into consideration 481 misconduct claims and complaints lodged against Australian doctors, which even included accusations of improper treatment.

Of the 481 cases, 9% of the cases were those in which involved argument over whether risks associated with the disease should have been informed before the treatment.

Researchers said, “Majority of disputed cases were related to 5 specific outcomes that impacted the quality of life for patients, such as chronic pain and requiring additional surgery. Two-thirds of these cases involved surgical procedures”.

Most of the doctors asserted that they did not inform of the risk as they mentioned regarding the main risk, which even included these risks.