Informed Consent Doctrine

Informed consent is a legal and ethical principle that ensures individuals have the right to make decisions about their own healthcare. It requires that medical professionals provide patients with clear information about the risks, benefits, and alternatives to a proposed treatment or procedure. Patients must understand this information and voluntarily agree to proceed. The doctrine emphasizes the importance of respecting patient autonomy and ensuring that individuals can make informed choices regarding their health and well-being. Without informed consent, a healthcare provider may be held liable for failing to respect a patient’s rights.