Abstract
Introduction: Numerous medical, medicolegal and ethical considerations surround medical intervention, patient information and informed consent. Methods: The following discussion focusses on the medicolegal viewpoint, based on high-court decisions, medicolegal literature and the interpretation of some recent medicolegal cases. Results: Any medical intervention fulfils the legal criteria for the charge of battery. This goes for diagnostic as well as therapeutic procedures. Informed consent must therefore respect the patient's right to self determination and freedom of decision making. These rights take clear precedence over and above the doctor's medical opinion. Informed consent must always be carried out by a doctor; it is unacceptable for it to be carried out by non medical personnel.
| Translated title of the contribution | Patient information and informed consent before and after medical intervention |
|---|---|
| Original language | German |
| Pages (from-to) | 576-586 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Deutsches Arzteblatt |
| Volume | 104 |
| Issue number | 9 |
| State | Published - 2 Mar 2007 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Battery
- Informed consent
- Medical intervention
- Patient autonomy
- Patient information