The right not to be treated or to refuse treatment

The corollary to the right to refuse treatment is the requirement that, in general, informed consent be obtained before treatment. The Declaration of Lisbon recognises this: "The patient has the right to accept or to refuse treatment after receiving adequate information." The information to be given to the patient is of three kinds, but a special problem in relation to the doctrine of informed refusal places a special duty on the doctor to inform the patient about the possible consequences of refusing treatment. Related topics, such as refusal in part, refusal by a parent or guardian, the novus actus interveniens, the living will, and contributory negligence are touched upon.