The principle requiring full disclosure to enable an informed decision before invasive treatment is performed is known as which concept?

• A. Autonomy
• B. Doctrine of Informed Consent
• C. Right to Refuse Treatment
• D. Confidentiality

Answer: (B)

Informed consent is the principle that requires full disclosure so a patient can make an informed decision before undergoing invasive treatment. It rests on respecting patient autonomy by ensuring the patient understands what the procedure involves, including its nature, risks, benefits, and alternatives (including the option of no treatment), and that consent is given voluntarily and with capacity to decide. The clinician’s duty is to present information clearly, check understanding, answer questions, and document the patient’s agreement.

Autonomy underpins this process as the broader right to self-determination. The explicit mechanism for acting on that right in a clinical setting is informed consent. The right to refuse treatment is part of autonomy and often expressed through the consent process, but it is not the specific concept describing the requirement for full disclosure. Confidentiality concerns privacy of information and is unrelated to obtaining consent for treatment.