Ethics: Roles & Boundaries

"Disclosure Requirements

In order for a patient to make an informed decision about whether or not to have a particular treatment, s/he must have enough information, including

• Nature and purpose of treatment
• Risks and consequences of treatment
• Alternatives to treatment
• Consequences of refusal of treatment (so the patient/client can make an informed refusal)

Failure to adequately explain related risks to a procedure or the extent of these risks may result in a liability for the healthcare professional. The risks of a proposed treatment may be explained to a patient in two different ways: from the professional's perspective or from the patient's perspective.

In most states, what a health professional tells a client is judged by what other health professionals tell their clients in similar situations. In other words, the actions of the health professional are judged against the actions of his/her peers. However, many states are now leaning toward the patient/client's perspective, which means any side effects that are pertinent to a particular client should be told to this client regardless if other health professionals tell their clients of this particular risk. This is to ensure that this particular client is fully informed of risks and benefits that may affect him/her so s/he can make an informed decision about his/her particular healthcare."

(Legal and Ethical Issues in Professional Roles and Boundaries by Sharon Burch, 2006, p. 15-16)