What is the definition of 'informed consent' in nursing?

Informed consent is fundamentally about the process of communication between the healthcare provider and the patient, ensuring that the patient fully understands the nature of their medical treatment, including the potential risks, benefits, and alternatives. This definition reflects the core principles of autonomy and respect for patients as individuals capable of making decisions about their own health care.

Informed consent requires that patients are provided with all relevant information in a comprehensible manner, allowing them to weigh the potential outcomes before making a decision on whether to proceed with the treatment. This process not only protects patients but also serves to encourage their active participation in their healthcare decisions.

While a legal document may be involved in formalizing this agreement, simply being a document does not capture the essence of informed consent, which is heavily reliant on the communication process. Similarly, a verbal agreement lacks the depth and understanding that characterized informed consent, as it does not ensure the patient comprehends the implications fully. Emergency responses or treatment refusals do not pertain to informed consent in a direct sense, as informed consent specifically involves a patient's agreement after being adequately informed.