One step forward, two steps back? The GMC, the common law and 'informed' consent.

Fovargue, Sara and Miola, Jose (2010) One step forward, two steps back? The GMC, the common law and 'informed' consent. Journal of Medical Ethics, 36 (8). pp. 494-497. ISSN 1473-4257

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Abstract

Until 2008, if doctors followed the General Medical Council's (GMC's) guidance on providing information prior to obtaining a patient's consent to treatment, they would be going beyond what was technically required by the law. It was hoped that the common law would catch up with this guidance and encourage respect for patients' autonomy by facilitating informed decision-making. Regrettably, this has not occurred. For once, the law's inability to keep up with changing medical practice and standards is not the problem. The authors argue that while the common law has moved forward and started to recognise the importance of patient autonomy and informed decision-making, the GMC has taken a step back in their 2008 guidance on consent. Indeed, doctors are now required to tell their patients less than they were in 1998 when the last guidance was produced. This is an unfortunate development and the authors urge the GMC to revisit their guidance.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Journal of Medical Ethics
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/core/keywords/law
Subjects:
?? lawhealth(social science)issues, ethics and legal aspectshealth policyk law (general) ??
ID Code:
33932
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
28 Jul 2010 14:20
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
15 Jul 2024 11:03