Hektoen International

A Journal of Medical Humanities

Tag: informed choice

  • Informed choice versus informed consent

    George L. SpaethPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, USA Before initiating an action that may harm a patient, it is customary to obtain informed consent, with the generally accepted purpose of respecting the patient’s autonomy and protecting the person initiating the action: “Obtaining patients’ consent . . . demonstrates respect for patient autonomy and should help prevent legal action…