TABLE.

The Essential Components of Informed Consent^*

Comprehension

Clinician must assure that s/he has:

• Awareness and understanding of the patient's situation and possibilities

• Used language that is understandable to the patient

Adequate information

Clinician must give adequate information regarding:

• Diagnosis

• Prognosis

• Alternative treatment choices, including no treatment

Freedom of choice

Patient must be free to/of:

• Give consent freely, intentionally, and voluntarily

• Authorize provider to perform the procedure

• Coercion

• Pressure from forces beyond herself

• Choose among options including other than what may be recommended

^*According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

“If [free consent] is to be operative at all in the course of medical treatment, it presupposes knowledge about and understanding of all the available options” (ACOG Committee on Ethics, 2004 p. 11).