Informed Consent
The WSMA believes the patient's right of self-decision can be effectively
exercised only if the patient possesses enough information to enable an
intelligent choice. Informed consent is a basic social policy for which
exceptions are permitted: 1) where the patient is unconscious or otherwise
incapable of consenting and harm from failure to treat is imminent; or 2)
when risk-disclosure poses such a serious psychological threat of
detriment to the patient as to be medically contraindicated. Social policy
does not accept the paternalistic view that the physician may remain
silent because divulgence might prompt the patient to forego needed
therapy. (JC 8.07-87) (Reaffirmed A-23)
The WSMA upholds that to have another physician operate on one's patient
without the patient's knowledge and consent is a deceit. The patient is
entitled to choose their own physician, and he/she should be permitted to
acquiesce in or refuse to accept the substitution. (JC 8.12-87)
(Reaffirmed A-23)
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Abbreviations for House of Delegates report origination:
EC – Executive Committee; BT – Board of Trustees; CPA – Council on
Professional Affairs; JC – Judicial Council; CHS – Community and Health
Services