Final answer:
Informing a patient or participant about the risks, benefits, and implications of a medical procedure or research study is known as informed consent. It protects individuals by ensuring they have all the necessary information to make an educated decision about their participation. Violations of informed consent can lead to ethical issues and potential harm to participants.
Step-by-step explanation:
Informing the patient of the risks, benefits, and potential outcomes of a procedure is called informed consent. It is a crucial part of both medical procedures and research studies, ensuring that patients and participants are fully aware of what they are agreeing to when they undergo treatment or take part in a study. Without informed consent, participants may not fully understand the potential risks or repercussions, which can lead to ethical violations.
For example, in a medical context, before surgery, a patient must be informed of the potential risks and benefits by the surgeon, nurse, and anesthesia professional.
In the context of research, before participating in an experiment, individuals should read and sign the informed consent document. This process includes providing a detailed explanation of the study's procedures, any risks involved, and the implications of the research. Additionally, informed consent can be a point of ethical consideration where researchers must avoid coercion or undue influence, such as offering incentives to prisoners that could affect their ability to consent freely.