On Informed Consent

Abstract

The tradition of medical practice is based on the assumption that the patients come to the doctor for professional advice and service. Having done so, they have the right to reject the advice or refuse the service, and to go elsewhere. There are a few exceptions to this general rule. Children do not come to doctors, they are brought to them. In that case, the rights pertain to the parents. Persons who are so seriously injured or ill that they cannot exercise their judgement, will be brought for treatment, and it is then assumed that the doctors will use their professional judgement and do their best, considering the circumstances, for them. This applied also to those patients who were mentally disturbed in such a way that they could not make proper decisions.