Informed Consent: An Essential Tool for Medical Practice and Research

Abstract The concept of informed consent regulates the relationship between medical practice and patients, promoting human rights and dignity. It serves as both a legal and ethical mechanism for ensuring autonomy and self-determination. This review examines the concept of informed consent as it applies to both medical research and clinical practice, addressing its types, prerequisites, limitations, and challenges. Additionally, it explores waiver of consent and the concept of minimal risk in research. The review highlights the importance of shared decision-making (SDM), the barriers to informed consent, and the role of comprehension in the consent process. The discussion emphasizes the need for improvements in informed consent procedures, particularly in enhancing patient understanding and addressing legal and ethical gaps. Future research should focus on refining consent mechanisms to improve their effectiveness in modern healthcare.