Informed consent and medical ethics
D. Finkelstein, M. K. Smith and R. Faden
Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21205.
Informed consent is based on a shared decision between physician and
patient, with the physician understanding the relevant values of the
patient and the patient understanding the nature of the disease and
intervention, including risks and benefits. Informed consent has developed
rapidly since it was introduced in the 1950s, reflecting recent changes in
the practice of medicine that respect the increase of patient autonomy. The
purpose of the written consent form is to document that a process of
informed consent has taken place. It is generally agreed that all surgical
as well as research procedures require written consent. For certain
nonsurgical procedures, the decision regarding obtaining written consent
will consider both the risk involved for the patient and the general
community standard. Informed consent serves as an important symbol of a
physician-patient relationship that adheres to the valued principles of
medical ethics.
