The Importance of Expressed Consent: Understanding the Difference between Expressed and Informed Consent
Obtaining consent is an ethical and legal requirement for any professional engaged in medical or research-related activities. The act of seeking consent from patients or participants might appear simple at first glance. In reality, however, there are different types of consent that healthcare professionals and researchers must understand to avoid ethical breaches and legal consequences.
Expressed consent and informed consent are two forms of consent that are crucial in any medical or research setting. This article will provide an in-depth understanding of the importance of expressed consent and how it differs from informed consent.
What is Expressed Consent?
Expressed consent is a type of consent given in a direct and specific manner. When individuals are approached by healthcare professionals or researchers for consent, they are given information concerning the nature of the procedure, the possible risks, benefits, and expected outcomes. In expressed consent, the person gives their consent explicitly by saying, “Yes, I agree.”
For instance, a person may provide expressed consent when they agree to receive a vaccine shot before traveling to a different country. In this scenario, the healthcare provider provides the patient with information about the vaccine’s benefits and possible side effects, and the person gives their consent by agreeing.
What is Informed Consent?
Informed consent is a type of consent provided after a person has received detailed information about the procedure or research project. This information helps the individual to make an informed decision about whether to proceed with the procedure or participate in the research study. Informed consent provides a comprehensive understanding of the procedure’s nature, potential risks and benefits, and alternatives to the procedure.
Informed consent is a crucial part of any medical or research activity that requires the participation of human subjects. It helps participants to make informed decisions about their health, and it is a legal and ethical requirement.
The Difference between Expressed and Informed Consent
The primary difference between expressed and informed consent lies in the level of detail offered to the patient or participant. Informed consent provides in-depth information about the nature of the procedure or study, as well as its potential risks and benefits. Conversely, expressed consent is provided when the healthcare provider or researcher provides brief information before the individual gives consent.
Expressed consent is suitable for simple medical procedures such as giving a vaccination, collecting blood samples, or taking an X-ray. Informed consent is necessary for more complex procedures, such as surgery or for research studies involving human participants.
Why is Expressed Consent Important?
Expressed consent is a crucial aspect of medical and research-related activities. It ensures that patients are informed about the nature of the procedure and have agreed to the procedure before it occurs. Informed consent is a legal requirement, and healthcare professionals and researchers can face legal and ethical repercussions if they do not obtain expressed consent or obtain it improperly.
Additionally, expressed consent promotes autonomy and respects the individual’s right to make decisions about their health. It also fosters trust between patients/participants and healthcare professionals or researchers, which is crucial for successful treatment or research outcomes.
Conclusion
In summary, obtaining consent is crucial in medical and research-related activities. Expressed consent and informed consent are two crucial types of consent that healthcare professionals and researchers must understand to avoid ethical and legal breaches. Expressed consent is given in a direct and specific manner, while informed consent is provided after the individual has received detailed information about the procedure or research study. Understanding the difference between expressed and informed consent is crucial for promoting patient autonomy, fostering trust, and ensuring ethical and legal compliance.
