The process of informed consent occurs when communication between a patient and physician results in the patient's authorization or agreement to undergo a specific medical intervention. In seeking a patient's informed consent (or the consent of the patient's surrogate if the patient lacks decision-making capacity or declines to participate in making decisions), physicians should:

1. Assess the patient's ability to understand relevant medical information and the implications of treatment alternatives and to make an independent, voluntary decision.
2. Present relevant information accurately and sensitively, in keeping with the patient's preferences for receiving medical information. The physician should include information about:
3. The diagnosis (when known)
4. The nature and purpose of recommended interventions
5. The burdens, risks, and expected benefits of all options, including forgoing treatment
6. Document the informed consent conversation and the patient's (or surrogate's) decision in the medical record in some manner. When the patient/surrogate has provided specific written consent, the consent form should be included in the record.

In emergencies, when a decision must be made urgently, the patient is not able to participate in decision making, and the patient's surrogate is not available, physicians may initiate treatment without prior informed consent. In such situations, the physician should inform the patient/surrogate at the earliest opportunity and obtain consent for ongoing treatment in keeping with these guidelines.

DISCUSSION ASSIGNMENT: INFORMED CONSENT

It has been maintained that patients have a right to complete information about their conditions.

But...

1) What happens when the diagnosis reveals a genetic disorder that can have known harmful effects on their children?  

2) Should the spouse automatically be told about this result?

3)  Should the children be told?

4)  Do other relatives have the right to know this information?

 

3) Who is the "patient" in these situations? Is it the one who has been tested? Is it the one who will be affected if they don't have the information?

  

4) What guidelines do you think should guide healthcare providers when it comes to such information being disclosed?

 

5) What ethical principles are at play here?