informed consent
Meaning of informed consent: Informed consent is the process of giving a person the facts needed to decide, voluntarily, whether to undergo a treatment, procedure, or research study.
Definition of informed consent
Informed consent is a process through which a person is given the information needed to make a voluntary decision about whether to undergo a medical procedure or treatment, participate in a clinical trial, or undergo genetic testing. It applies both to routine clinical care and to research involving human participants.
The information typically covers the purpose of the procedure or study, what it involves, the possible risks and benefits, reasonable alternatives, and the fact that participation is voluntary and can be declined or withdrawn at any point without losing access to other appropriate care.
Informed consent is not limited to a single signature at the start of a process. It also includes updating a person when new information becomes available that could affect the original decision, and it depends on the person having the capacity to understand the information provided and to make a decision based on it.
Used in a sentence
Informed consent was obtained before the patient began the investigational treatment.
Good to know
Informed consent is an ongoing process rather than a single event, since new information that emerges during treatment or a study is expected to be shared even after initial consent has been given.