What is informed consent?

Informed consent is best understood as the process of providing information about medical procedures, treatments, or interventions to patients and ensuring that they understand the information presented. This process is fundamental to patient autonomy and involves not just informing patients of the benefits and risks associated with a procedure, but also allowing them to ask questions and actively participate in their healthcare decisions.

It emphasizes the patient’s right to make informed decisions regarding their health care based on a clear understanding of what to expect. This process is crucial in building trust between healthcare providers and patients and reinforces the ethical principle of respect for patient autonomy.

The notion that informed consent is only a legal document, applicable strictly to surgical procedures, overlooks its broader application across various areas of healthcare, where comprehensive communication and understanding are necessary. Additionally, characterizing informed consent as a means to enforce compliance or to sidestep patient inquiries misrepresents its purpose and undermines the importance of patient engagement in their treatment plans.