Doctors report that good communication up front saves them time in the long run. If you are getting treatment for cancer at a hospital, you should be aware that there are general guidelines that the hospital is supposed to adhere to when providing you with care. Although it is not a legal document, it should provide you with confidence to advocate for your rights. You may wish to print it out and keep it for reference as you go through treatment. To read this document, click here .
Informed consent is the legal process by which patients agree to treatment.
Your doctor has the duty to give you enough information about a proposed procedure for you to make an informed decision as to whether you want to undergo it. Any risks to not having the procedure Informed consent usually consists of a contract, which you are asked to sign. When you sign an informed consent form, you are saying that you have been informed of the information contained in it, and that you consent to treatment. If there are things on the consent form that you do not agree to, you can draw a line through them. Keep in mind, however, that even if you have signed the consent form, it may be invalid if the doctor has not presented you with satisfactory information.