What is the process called when patients are informed about their care and consent to specific treatments?

The process is called Informed Consent. This is a critical aspect of healthcare, ensuring that patients are made aware of their medical condition, the treatments recommended, the potential risks and benefits of those treatments, and any alternatives available. It allows patients to make educated decisions regarding their own care.

Informed Consent emphasizes the need for patients to understand all relevant information before agreeing to undergo any procedures or treatments, ensuring that their autonomy is respected. This process also serves to protect healthcare providers by documenting that patients have been provided with necessary information and have agreed to proceed based on that understanding.

While the other terms relate to consent in healthcare, they have distinct meanings. Implied Consent refers to situations where a patient's actions imply consent, such as when a patient shows up for a scheduled procedure. Express Consent indicates an explicitly stated agreement, which could encompass both verbal and written forms. Medical Authorization typically involves granting permission for a specific action but is not as comprehensive as Informed Consent in terms of ensuring understanding and agreement for treatment.