Informed consent: what does it mean and how is it achieved?

Informed consent is an essential part of any contract and, in veterinary practice, it is vital that the client understands the range of treatment options, estimated costs and the significance and risks of any procedure that a veterinary surgeon may carry out. But what does informed consent actually mean, and how is this achieved in day‐to‐day practice? Georgina Mills reports from a panel discussion of this topic, held during the BSAVA congress last month