“Informed consent” as it pertains to the medical field means receiving information about and understanding your health condition and the treatment options available to you and voluntarily choosing which health care treatment or procedure you want to receive.
But informed consent goes way beyond any simple textbook definition. Informed consent can be the difference between life and death. It is imperative that every individual understands what it means to give informed consent and be empowered with the full knowledge of their medical options to avoid unfavorable outcomes when faced with medical decisions.
What is Informed Consent?
Informed consent is the process by which a health care provider discloses information to a patient so that the patient can make a voluntary decision concerning what medical treatment or procedure they would like to receive. Every patient has the legal right to direct what happens to their body.
This imposes a strict ethical duty upon a physician to keep their patient involved in the process of decision-making throughout the duration of their health care. This means keeping the patient updated on the current status of their condition, informing the patient of what measure the physician may or may not take, the treatment options available to the patient and the potential outcomes of utilizing a particular treatment over another. This ensures that no patient is uninformed when it comes to their treatment and has full control over their health care treatment or procedure.
What Happens When You Give Your Doctor Informed Consent
When giving your care physician your informed consent, the specific treatment or surgery you decide to undergo is strictly what the doctor needs to abide by. If your care physician in any way deviates from the chosen path, this could result in unwanted outcomes and possibly lay the groundwork for a legitimate negligence or medical malpractice claim on your behalf.
The key is to stay informed and stay in the know. Ask questions, ensure that you stay notified on the status of your condition to be safe and get a checkup after you undergo a specific treatment or procedure to make sure your care physician did exactly what you instructed them to.
Do you have any questions involving informed consent? Or do you feel that your care physician may have implemented a medical treatment or procedure without your consent? If so, find out more from an Orlando personal injury lawyer at Todd Miner Law®️ for a free consultation today.
