title: The right not to be treated or to refuse treatment.
abstract: The corollary to the right to refuse treatment is the requirement that, in general, informed consent be obtained before treatment. The Declaration of Lisbon recognises this: "The patient has the right to accept or to refuse treatment after receiving adequate information." The information to be given to the patient is of three kinds, but a special problem in relation to the doctrine of informed refusal places a special duty on the doctor to inform the patient about the possible consequences of refusing treatment. Related topics, such as refusal in part, refusal by a parent or guardian, the novus actus interveniens, the living will, and contributory negligence are touched upon.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Deutsch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D030881:Disclosure; D005860:Germany, West; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D033242:Minors; D010290:Parents; D010344:Patient Advocacy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D028701:Patient Rights; D012297:Right to Die; D018570:Risk Assessment