TRUE INFORMED CHOICE (TIC) MEANS:
The patients’ right to decline any proposed intervention is respected by all providers without being subject to coercion / duress.
Patient autonomy;including bodily / mental / emotional / spiritual; is an inherent right of all people. Autonomy is at the center of good care, and is central to all recommendations given by the provider.
Care includes complete transparency around all available/appropriate options for medical treatment or maintenance; as well as all of the risks / benefits / side effects / possible outcomes; and the statistical likelihood of each type of treatment. Options and information are always provided around DECLINING treatment as well.
The patient has the right to make decisions on whatever grounds the patient chooses; whether they be intuitive / rational / religious / etc.
The provider answers the patients’ questions in full and to the best of their ability. The patient is able to understand the information, and obtain clarification when necessary.
The provider will be clear about their own blind-spots (i.e. the relevant information they don’t know from memory.) The provider will follow up with the patient when more information is available if desired by the patient.
The provider is transparent about all reasoning for their recommendations; including whether recommendations are influenced by factors such as medical liability / standardized protocols /community standards and/or empirical experience. There is no unspoken or unacknowledged agenda on the part of the provider.
Definition of Informed Consent:
n. Consent by a patient to undergo a medical or surgical treatment or to participate in an experiment after the patient understands the risks involved.
The medical term ‘Informed Consent’ means that when a medical provider proposes a treatment to a patient, they have an obligation to inform the patient of the risks and benefits prior to performing the treatment. An ‘Informed Consent’ document is given to the patient to sign indicating that they understand the potential risks and benefits and whether they choose to receive the proposed treatment. True Informed Choice is emerging as an addendum to Informed Consent by emphasizing patient choice rather than emphasizing compliance.