Table 4.

Communication regarding treatments.

Provide information to patients about treatments, including their nature, related risks and benefits, time necessary for them to be effective, duration of effects, expected adverse events, and how these may be overcome Illustrate possible advantages and disadvantages in case if no treatment choice Be aware of the possibility, in some cases, of a “nocebo effect” of disclosure of side effects, balancing between right to be informed and principle of nonmaleficence Bear in mind that proper informed consent requires patients to be “competent” Relatives may receive information about treatments of their relative, unless they have been expressly prohibited