informed consent

Definition

Consent given with full knowledge of the risks involved, probable consequences, and the alternatives. In medical treatment requiring invasive (and possibly life threatening) procedures, a doctor or healthcare provider must disclose sufficient information to the patient for him or her (or his or her guardian) to give an informed consent. What constitutes 'sufficient information' varies with the jurisdiction. In general, the amount of information called for in the US is higher than that in the UK.