What does "informed consent" require in medical malpractice cases?

Informed consent in medical malpractice cases is fundamentally about ensuring that patients are fully aware of the potential risks and benefits of a treatment before agreeing to undergo it. This principle underscores a patient's right to make autonomous choices regarding their own medical care, based on a comprehensive understanding of what those choices entail.

To provide informed consent, healthcare providers must communicate to the patient the nature of the proposed treatment, the risks associated with that treatment, any alternatives available, and the potential benefits of the treatment. This approach not only promotes patient autonomy but also helps to protect medical professionals by ensuring that patients are aware of what they are agreeing to.

The other options do not align with the principle of informed consent. Merely consenting regardless of risks ignores the necessity of understanding the treatment fully. Awareness of treatment costs, while important, is not a core aspect of informed consent, which focuses primarily on medical risks and benefits. Lastly, pressuring patients to make quick decisions contradicts the very essence of informed consent, which is to allow patients the time and information needed to make informed choices freely.