Informed consent is an important communication process that takes place between patients and their healthcare providers.

It is a key part of the healthcare decision-making process.

patient signing document

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The other providers on your care team will do the same.

If you need additional procedures or tests, you’ll provide additional consent as needed.

Your healthcare provider is required to ensure you fully understand the information you’ve been given.

You should have the opportunity to ask questions and have them answered.

Healthcare providers must follow four central elements of the informed consent process.

Decision-Making Ability

You must be able to make the decision.

The age when a minor can give consent for medical services varies by state.

This includes information on the effectiveness of the treatments, the benefits, and the risks.

It should also include the risks and benefits of refusing treatment.

Your healthcare provider must provide a full picture of what it’s possible for you to expect.

Understanding

One of the most important elements of informed consent is your understanding of the information.

Ask questions to ensure that you fully comprehend what’s being presented before you agree to treatments.

Voluntary Agreement

No one should pressure or force you to provide informed consent.

Your agreement should never be given under duress.

Consent to Treat

Most medical offices include a Consent to Treat form with its standard patient paperwork.

This form clearly states your right to discuss all procedures or treatments or to refuse them.

Informed Consent

Implied consent takes place in situations where a more formal consent is not needed.

In the majority of situations, the informed consent process happensbeforea test or treatment is performed.

You won’t need to provide written consent for some things, like a prescription for medication.

The act of having your prescription filled implies your consent to taking the medicine.

Types of Procedures

For some procedures, you may be asked to sign an informed consent document.

Full consent must be given for any further or ongoing treatment.

Some guidelines are listed below.

That will give your healthcare provider a chance to clarify any information you may not fully understand.

Unfortunately, medical treatment can never provide a guarantee.

Informed consent is at the core of the shared-decision making process between a patient and their healthcare provider.

Before you provide consent, be sure all of your questions are answered and that you understand the information.

Don’t forget that you could change your mind about your treatment plan even after you provide informed consent.

Association of American Medical Colleges.What “informed consent” really means.

2022;149(6):e2021053458.

doi:10.1542/peds.2021-053458

American Medical Association.Informed consent.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Health Literacy Universal Toolkit.Consent to treat form.

American Cancer Society.What is informed consent?

2014;3(1):68-71. doi:10.4103/2249-4863.130284