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The changing face of consent: past and present
Author(s) -
Nicholas Nick,
Sayed Mohammed El
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the obstetrician and gynaecologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1744-4667
pISSN - 1467-2561
DOI - 10.1576/toag.8.1.039.27207
Subject(s) - autonomy , face (sociological concept) , order (exchange) , patient consent , informed consent , safeguard , health professionals , health care , law , psychology , political science , public relations , medicine , engineering ethics , internet privacy , business , medical emergency , sociology , computer science , alternative medicine , engineering , pathology , social science , finance
The law of consent is moving towards a more patient‐centred standard of disclosure in order to safeguard the patient's autonomy and right to self‐determination. The well‐known Bolam principle upon which clinicians rely is now being challenged. This review looks at the law of consent as it currently stands and how it is evolving. All healthcare professionals should take these changes seriously and reconsider the way in which they practise. Sufficient resources — more time, in particular — are needed to train clinicians to communicate more effectively with their patients.