A patient hesitant about a proposed investigation

Setting: A specialist outpatient clinic

A patient has been referred for investigation of persistent symptoms. The supplied plan is to discuss a proposed endoscopic investigation, its purpose and the written information supplied by the service. The patient has not consented yet. Do not invent procedure-specific risk rates, sedation choices or alternatives absent from the information sheet.

Task

Explore the source of hesitation.
Acknowledge a previous difficult procedure.
Ask what the patient already understands and explain in sections.
Check understanding and agree the next discussion without pressuring consent.

Fictional service information for discussion of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy

Purpose: examine the upper digestive tract to help investigate persistent symptoms. An examination does not guarantee that a cause will be found.
A flexible instrument with a camera is used; the responsible team explains the preparation and procedure in detail before consent.
The service offers discussion of throat spray and sedation suitability with the procedure team. Do not promise a particular option or complete absence of discomfort.
Benefits include seeing the lining and taking samples if indicated; limitations and whether another investigation is appropriate require discussion with the responsible team.
Risks to discuss include discomfort and uncommon complications such as bleeding or damage to the digestive tract. This card provides no numerical risk estimate; ask the procedure team to clarify patient-specific risks.
The patient can ask questions, request pauses in the explanation and decide after an informed discussion. Referral and attendance are not consent.

Fictional scenario information supplied by the treating team; not medical guidance for real patients.