What is informed consent?

Authors: Whiting M
Publication: Proceedings of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) Annual Conferences, Volume 2014 AVA Annual Conference, Perth, Issue Welfare, May 2014
Publisher: Australian Veterinary Association

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Abstract: Informed consent is a contentious topic in veterinary medicine. It seems, on a superficial level, a very straightforward notion, similar to that found in human medicine. The common parlance understanding of the term is that the consenting party comprehends what is being agreed to in terms of a medical intervention, and they agree to that intervention. As this stands, it is far from simple. The two components of informed consent need to be carefully broken down and analysed. What is informed? What does it mean to consent?

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