What is the term for a patient's consent to undergo treatment after understanding the associated risks?

The term for a patient's consent to undergo treatment after understanding the associated risks is informed consent. Informed consent is a fundamental concept in medical ethics and law, underlining the importance of transparency and respect for patient autonomy in healthcare. This process ensures that patients are fully aware of the details of the proposed treatment, including its potential benefits, risks, and alternatives, enabling them to make an educated decision about their care.

Patients must not only receive information but also demonstrate a comprehension of it before providing consent. This prevents situations where patients agree to treatment without a full understanding of the implications, which can lead to ethical and legal issues.

In contrast, implied consent typically pertains to situations where consent is assumed based on a patient's actions, such as when a patient voluntarily shows up for treatment or engages in a procedure without explicitly saying "yes." Express consent is more formal, involving a clear verbal or written agreement, but does not always necessitate the comprehensive explanation of risks that informed consent requires. An advanced directive is a legal document that outlines a patient’s preferences regarding medical treatment in situations where they may not be able to communicate their wishes, which is unrelated to the immediacy of consent for a specific treatment. Hence, the significance of informed consent lies in its focus