Having and understanding the right information before going ahead. This is an ethical as well as a legal concept and goes much beyond just a written form.

Here is a definition of Informed Consent from the University of Washington:

"Informed consent is the process by which a fully informed patient can participate in choices about her health care. It originates from the legal and ethical right the patient has to direct what happens to her body and from the ethical duty of the physician to involve the patient in her health care."

"How's YOUR form looking?" KeratoScoop editorial, June 2003

"LVC hot buttons", KeratoScoop editorial, June 2003

Dr Wayne's informed consent website

University of Washington School of Medicine "Ethics in Medicine" page on informed consent

Are we missing a good link on this topic ? Email it to us! (Please include a link to this page for reference.)

Last updated January 2005