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Patient Informed Consent

Meaning

Patient informed consent is the fundamental ethical and legal process in clinical practice where a patient voluntarily grants formal permission for a specific medical treatment, diagnostic procedure, or research participation after receiving a comprehensive, clear, and understandable explanation of all relevant facts. This essential dialogue must meticulously include the precise nature of the intervention, the anticipated benefits, all potential risks and side effects, and all available therapeutic alternatives, ensuring the patient possesses the full decision-making capacity. It is the cornerstone of patient autonomy and a mandatory component of shared clinical decision-making.