In law, the agreement or rejection by someone considered legally competent to agree or reject participation in an act informed consent.
A legal term referring to the patient’s right to make his own treatment decisions, based upon knowledge of the relevant alternatives and the benefits and risks of each. An “informed consent” is the consent of the patient after he has been fully informed, by the physician proposing the treatment or procedure, of the risks, benefits, and alternatives. Failure to obtain informed consent prior to surgery or administration of treatment may result in legal liability. An exception is ordinarily made in case of an emergency where the patient is unable to consent, in which case the law presumes that the patient would have consented to the emergency treatment required to protect his life or health.
Legal permission, given by the patient (or person legally authorized to give the permission), to the health care provider to care for, treat, or perform surgery or other procedures upon the patient. The patient may give valid consent only if he is legally competent to do so.
The granting of permission by the patient for another person to perform an act (e.g., permission for a surgical or therapeutic procedure or experiment to be performed by a physician, nurse, dentist, or other healthcare professional).
In addition to being known as informed consent, the legal term used to describe a patient’s permission for a doctor to perform a surgical procedure, administer drug treatment, or conduct a diagnostic test is known as patient consent. The consent of the patient is also required before a doctor shares confidential information with entities such as insurance companies, employers, or lawyers.
For consent to be considered valid, it is crucial that the patient receives comprehensive information regarding the purpose of the specific procedure, its potential outcomes, as well as any associated complications and side effects. Young children and individuals lacking the capacity to make informed decisions are unable to provide consent, but in such cases, a relative or guardian may act on their behalf to grant or withhold consent.