title: Informed consent for the neurosurgeon.
abstract: Obtaining informed consent from patients contemplating neurosurgical procedures is an important process in preoperative care. A surgeon's failure to fulfill his or her legally prescribed duty to inform the patient and obtain consent can result in unnecessary exposure to liability. This paper describes the legal background, doctrine, and elements of informed consent. It also outlines the dialog that should legally take place between physician and patient before a planned procedure and discusses special circumstances that may affect the informed consent process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh, UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Pennsylvania 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Alan M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Scarrow
authors.forename: Meera R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Scarrow
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D028701:Patient Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence