This Article
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Etchells, E.
Right arrow Articles by Singer, P. A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Etchells, E.
Right arrow Articles by Singer, P. A.

Canadian Medical Association Journal, Vol 155, Issue 4 387-391, Copyright © 1996 by Canadian Medical Association

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Bioethics for clinicians: 2. Disclosure

E. Etchells, G. Sharpe, M. M. Burgess and P. A. Singer
University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics, Toronto, Ont. eetchells@torhosp.toronto.on.ca

In the context of patient consent, "disclosure" refers to the provision of relevant information by the clinician and its comprehension by the patient. Both elements are necessary for valid consent. Disclosure should inform the patient adequately about the treatment and its expected effects, relevant alternative options and their benefits and risks, and the consequences of declining or delaying treatment. The clinician's goal is to disclose information that a reasonable person in the patient's position would need in order to make an informed decision. Therefore, clinicians may need to consider how the proposed treatment (and other options) might affect the patient's employment, finances, family life and other personal concerns. Clinicians may also need to be sensitive to cultural and religious beliefs that can affect disclosure.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J. Nucl. Med. Technol.Home page
M. S. Rosenthal
Patient Misconceptions and Ethical Challenges in Radioactive Iodine Scanning and Therapy.
J. Nucl. Med. Technol., September 1, 2006; 34(3): 143 - 150.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 BMJHome page
A. Towle, W. Godolphin, T. Greenhalgh, and J. Gambrill
Framework for teaching and learning informed shared decision making • Commentary: Competencies for informed shared decision making • Commentary: Proposals based on too many assumptions
BMJ, September 18, 1999; 319(7212): 766 - 771.
[Full Text]