Informed choice and consent for cervical spine manipulation

Informed consent is essential in ethical health care practice. Information and advice regarding choices is a precondition of informed consent. Autonomy, truthfulness and ethical decision making are all relevant to the informed choice and consent process. The purpose of this paper is firstly to discuss these topics. Following this, a case of informed choice and consent for cervical spine manipulation is examined. This case illustrates ethical problems that can arise in the informed choice and consent process. The moral reasoning in the case is clarified with the assistance of an ethical grid. The conclusion is that autonomy, a patient's right to self determination, is paramount in the informed choice and consent process. Autonomy enhancing informed consent requires more than a mechanical recitation of procedures, hazards and options. In order to uphold a patient's right to self determination, patients need to be included in the decision making process by allowing them to make treatment choices based on accurate information and advice from the physiotherapist.