Informed Consent

Policy regarding patient informed consent for medical or surgical treatment is established and guided by professional codes of ethics, statutes, regulations, and case law and is addressed in accreditation standards. Even so, failure to obtain informed consent is one of the most common allegations in medical malpractice suits. The underlying basis for the doctrine of informed consent is a patient's right of self-determination, which is the right to make an informed choice on whether to choose or decline a particular medical procedure or treatment. It is important to differentiate between consent and informed consent because the consent process can technically be done without satisfying any of the essential elements of the informed consent process.

This self-assessment questionnaire (SAQ) is designed to aid the practice manager in meeting these challenges. Specifically, this SAQ addresses informed consent, health literacy, and shared decision-making. Once completed, or each section is completed, a plan should be established for addressing any shortcomings revealed by the SAQ. Subsequently, the SAQ can be completed in...