Consenting patients for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: results of a survey of 182 UK endoscopists and 2059 of their patients.

Objectives: To describe the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) consent process.

Method: A prospective, multicentre study of ERCP, supplemented by questionnaires administered to participating endoscopists and their patients.

Results: A total 165 of 182 (91%) endoscopists completed a questionnaire describing personal practice with 140 of 165 (85%) routinely providing written information to patients; 120 of 165 (73%) routinely acquiring verbal consent on the day of ERCP; 23 of 165 (14%) delegating acquisition of consent to another team member and 59 of 165 (36%) usually/always describing alternative treatments to patients.