What does the term "informed consent" relate to?

The term "informed consent" primarily relates to the Principle of Autonomy. This principle emphasizes the right of individuals to make informed, voluntary decisions about their own medical care and treatment. Informed consent ensures that patients are given comprehensive information regarding their diagnosis, treatment options, risks, benefits, and potential outcomes, allowing them to weigh their choices based on their values and preferences.

This process respects the individual's ability to make decisions about their own body and health, which is central to the concept of autonomy. By empowering patients with knowledge, healthcare providers uphold the ethical obligation to acknowledge and support the patients' rights to determine what happens to them in a medical context.