Macanlalay, Ralph Elvin R.

BSN 2F

1. Informed Consent (General Definition) and TYPES

a. Implied Consent
 The Patient cooperates with discussion if consent. This type
of consent does not need to be documented or recorded.
b. Verbal Consent
 The patient states in a verbal manner their consent
regarding a certain procedure. There is no written document that
the patient will have to sign or fill-up regarding this type of consent.
c. Written Consent
 The Patient will sign or fill up a form or document to formally
document the sense of informed consent. This is important in the
case of extensive interventions that carry great risk or will put the
patient in an unconscious or sedated state where he/she cannot
give further implied or verbal consent.
1.1 Difference between Consent and Informed Consent
 Consent or General Consent is used if the patient is to be examined or
treated for minor testing such as that involving laboratory or routine
imaging studies. There is no explanation of contact however consent to
touch is required. Meanwhile, Informed Consent is generally required
before most invasive procedures that may put the patient at risk, harm, or
in a state where he will not be able to give proper consent.
1.2 Elements of Informed Consent
 There are three Major Elements that must be included for a Valid Informed
consent:
o Disclosure of Information
o Competency of the Patient or Surrogate to make a Decision
o Voluntary nature of the decision
1.3 What constitutes Informed Consent
 Informed consent should involve providing the patient with adequate
information regarding the process or procedure to allow them to make an
informed decision to participate in the aforementioned procedure. The
patient should also be allowed to ask questions.
Macanlalay, Ralph Elvin R.
BSN 2F

1.4 Who cannot provide an Informed Consent/

 Minors under 18 are generally considered not competent to make
informed consent, wherein these case parents must permit treatments or
interventions. In this case, it not termed "informed consent" but "informed
permission. However emancipated minors are exempted from this.
 There are also cases wherein the patient cannot make decision
independently, e.g. patient is incapacitated, or mentally inadequate as
determined by a psychiatrist. In this case, a surrogate decision maker, or
legal guardian may be appointed by court.
 There are cases wherein the patient cannot understand the professional
due to language barriers; in this case, the patient cannot legally give
informed consent unless someone is capable of translating of
professionally translating to both the patient and professional.
1.4 Why is Informed Consent an Ethical Issue
 The patient has all the right to refuse medical therapies, so the
professional has to provide as much information as possible to the patient
regarding the procedure. However if an aspect of the procedure may drive
the client to refuse treatment, the professional may be tempted to not
include certain information to manipulate the client’s autonomy into giving
consent. All patients should be involved in medical decision making to the
degree their capacity allows, irrespective of age.
Macanlalay, Ralph Elvin R.
BSN 2F

References

Kakar, H., Gambhir, R. S., Singh, S., Kaur, A., & Nanda, T. (2014). Informed Consent: Corner

Stone in Ethical Medical and Dental Practice. PubMed Central (PMC).

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4005206/

Shah, P., Thornton, I., Turrin, D., & Hipskind, J. (2021, January). Informed Consent. PubMed

Central (PMC). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430827/

West, J. (n.d.). Principles of Informed Consent in Healthcare. The Sullivan Group. Retrieved

October 9, 2021, from https://blog.thesullivangroup.com/rsqsolutions/principles-of-

informed-consent-in-healthcare