Final answer:
Informed consent includes necessary information such as alternative courses of action, and all risks and benefits, enabling patients to make voluntary decisions about medical procedures or research participation.
Step-by-step explanation:
To be considered informed, the patient must be provided with information that is essential for making a voluntary decision about whether to undergo a medical procedure or participate in a research study. This includes details on alternative courses of action, all risks and benefits associated with the procedure or study, rather than information the MD determines the patient should know, the composition of the health care team, or the exact length of time to recover from treatment. Before participating in an experiment or medical procedure, individuals should read and sign the informed consent which outlines these details. Furthermore, improved health education and health literacy are critical for enabling people to make such informed decisions. In the context of surgeries, for instance, the surgeon, nurse, and anesthesia professional collaboratively ensure the patient understands key concerns for recovery and care.