Informed Consent and Shared Decision Making in the Perioperative Environment.

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Patient Management
• Surgical Care

Background:

• Informed consent and shared decision making (SDM) are fundamental components of preoperative patient management.
• Informed consent is a legal and ethical requirement, necessitating the disclosure and patient comprehension of surgical risks.
• SDM involves collaborative decision-making between clinicians and patients, integrating patient values and goals into treatment planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail the critical aspects and challenges associated with informed consent and SDM in patient care.
• To emphasize the importance of SDM, particularly when multiple treatment options exist or when treatments conflict with patient values.

Main Methods:

• This article provides a detailed overview of informed consent and SDM.
• It discusses the principles and practical considerations of these patient management strategies.

Main Results:

• The article outlines the essential elements of informed consent, including risk disclosure and patient understanding.
• It highlights SDM as a key process for patient-centered care, especially in complex or value-laden treatment scenarios.

Conclusions:

• Informed consent and SDM are indispensable for ethical and effective preoperative patient management.
• Implementing robust informed consent and SDM processes enhances patient autonomy and treatment alignment.