Informed Consent

Informed consent in healthcare:

It is a communication process between the physician and the patient that often leads to agreement or permission for care, treatment, or services. Every patient has the right to get information and asks questions before any procedures and treatments.

Informed consent is when a healthcare provider, like a doctor, nurse, or another healthcare professional, explains a medical treatment, therapy, or a surgical procedure to a patient before he/she agrees to it. This type of communication lets the patient ask questions and accept or refuse to take the treatment, therapy, or medical procedures.

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The ethical significance of informed consent is based on the opportunity that the process presents for the patient to exert autonomy.

• The patient's ability to make a decision

• Explanation of information needed for the patient to make the decision.

• The understanding of the medical information.

• The voluntary patient's decision to get treatment.

An informed consent agreement should include the following information:

*Diagnosis of the patient's condition.

*Name and purpose of treatment.

*Benefits, risks, and alternative procedures.

*Benefits and risks of each alternative.

With this information, the patient can make an educated choice about the procedures he/she receives.

• In an emergency, the physician may look for the patient's closest blood relatives for consent.

• If the patient's relatives are not available, or if the patient is in a life-threatening situation, a healthcare provider can perform the necessary life-saving procedures without consent.

Any questions?

D.C.E. Cristian Cruz Ochoa.

References:

https://www.healthline.com/health/informed-consent#necessary-information