informed consent
Information and Communications / Life Science

In medical terms, this refers to the information a doctor is required to convey to a patient regarding a diagnosis and treatment; they must ensure that the patient understands and agrees to undergo a course of treatment based on the following main principles:

1. Inform the patient of their current condition and diagnosis.

2. Inform the patient, in terms they can understand, the goals and particulars of any procedure deemed necessary for their treatment.

3. Explain any possible risks of a given treatment.

4. Explain the success rate of a given treatment.

5. Go over any other treatment methods applicable to the patient's medical condition, should they exist.

6. Inform them of what might happen should they reject any form of treatment.

They must not simply tell them this information; they must ensure that the patient understands it as well. This doctrine is built on the idea that the relationship between a doctor and their patient is based on mutual agreement, not one where a patient must blindly obey their doctor regardless of the situation.