Ethical Issues in Informed Consent

The informed consent process grew out of a social movement toward greater autonomy, as well as from life-preserving medical advances that patients sometimes questioned the value of. With informed consent, the patient and health care provider each play a role formulating an acceptable plan for medical care. Important aspects of informed consent include ethical obligations to promote autonomy, provide information, and avoid unethical forms of bias. Patients have the right to refuse medical therapies, whether on religious or other grounds, if they are competent to do so. Providers cannot subject patients to certain perioperative tests without informed consent. All patients should be involved in medical decision making to the degree their capacity allows, irrespective of age.