Changing trends in informed consent
- Author:
Victor Lim
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
informed consent;
ethics;
medical litigation;
medical professionalism
- MeSH:
Informed Consent
- From:International e-Journal of Science, Medicine and Education
2014;8(1):3-7
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Consent is defined as the “voluntary
agreement to or acquiescence in what another person
proposes or desires”. In the context of medical practice
it is now universally accepted that every human being of
adult years and of sound mind has the right to determine
what shall be done with his or her own body. Informed
consent is now a central part of medical ethics and
medical law. There has been a change in the public’s
expectations of their role in medical decision making.
The paternalistic approach by doctors is no longer
acceptable. Today the patient has the right to receive
and the doctor the obligation to give sufficient and
appropriate information so that the patient can make an
informed decision to accept or refuse a treatment option.
This has led to higher standards of practice in the process
of informed consent taking. Consent taking is both a
legal and moral requirement. Failure to comply with
standards of practice can result in criminal prosecution,
civil litigation or disciplinary action by the relevant
professional authority. Consent taking is a process and
not merely a one-off affixation of the patient’s signature
on a consent form. It involves a continuous discussion
to reflect the evolving nature of treatment from before
the treatment is given to the post-operative or discharge
period. The regulatory authorities in many countries
have established standards for consent taking which
would include the capacity of the patient, the person
who should seek consent, the information to be provided
and the necessary documentation.
- Full text:P020150528349729202749.pdf
