The radiologist, the patient and Canadian law

A knowledge of basic medico-legal principles is necessary to the practice of medicine. The professional relationships with radiologists undertake with patients, employees, colleagues and hospitals are all founded on mutual consent and governed by a multitude of laws and regulations. The principal forms of legal proceedings which involve radiologists are criminal, civil and disciplinary actions. The discussion in this article is focused on the law relating to consent. The consent of the patient, which may be expressed or implied, is necessary in all phases of the doctor-patient reltionship. The amount of information which must be provided to allow a patient to give informed consent varies from case to case. It is affected by the risk and potential benefit of the procedure, the demand of the patient for information and many other factors. Obtaining informed consent not only helps protect the radiologist from legal action but also allows for a better doctor-patient relationship.