Final answer:
The three essential elements of informed consent are Voluntariness, Competence, and Understanding.
Step-by-step explanation:
The three essential elements of informed consent, according to Gupta and Kharawala (2012), are Voluntariness, Competence, and Understanding. Voluntariness means that the participant freely decides to participate in the study without any coercion or pressure.
Competence refers to the participant's ability to understand the information provided and make an informed decision. Understanding means that the participant comprehends the purpose, procedures, risks, and benefits of the study.