Legal and ethical myths about informed consent

Arch Intern Med. 1996 Dec;156(22):2521-6.

Abstract

Informed consent is a foundational concept of medical ethics. Since its enunciation almost 4 decades ago, it has engendered, and continues to engender, a great deal of debate and opposition from practicing physicians. We believe that much of the negative reaction to informed consent stems from some fundamental misunderstandings about what informed consent requires. This article discusses and refutes several myths about informed consent that have acquired some currency among physicians.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Comprehension
  • Consent Forms
  • Decision Making*
  • Disclosure*
  • Ethics, Medical*
  • Humans
  • Informed Consent* / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Personal Autonomy
  • Risk Assessment
  • Social Values
  • Truth Disclosure*
  • United States