Doctrine of Informed Consent
The doctrine of informed consent states that every competent patient has the right to receive adequate information regarding a proposed medical intervention and to make an independent decision regarding acceptance or refusal of treatment.
The sequence is: Disclosure → Understanding → Voluntary choice → Consent or refusal.
Essential Components of Informed Consent
- Nature of disease — diagnosis and condition explained
- Nature of procedure — what procedure is proposed
- Risks and complications — common risks and serious complications
- Benefits — expected advantages
- Alternatives — alternative methods of treatment
- Consequences of refusal — what may happen if treatment is refused