What Does ‘Informed Consent’ Mean?

When a patient gives “informed consent,” it means the patient has agreed to go ahead with a medical plan or procedure, such as an operation, after their healthcare provider has fully informed them of the benefits and risks, discussed alternatives, and allowed the patient to ask about the plan or procedure and make sure they understand it. If a healthcare provider goes forward with a plan or procedure without a patient’s informed consent, it can cause a patient to suffer serious harm.