What about Learners’ Roles in the Operating Room Should Be Disclosed to Patients?

Michael J Kirsch, Steven J Kasten

This case commentary primarily focuses on properly disclosing the participation of medical trainees when obtaining informed consent in the educational health care environment, particularly in relation to the development of institutional standardization of informed consent processes. The article addresses what it means to obtain informed consent, the elements thereof, and how ethical principles can be better applied to clinical practice in order to ensure truly informed consent. Concepts of capacity, disclosure of information, patient understanding, voluntary decision making, and consent are discussed as they relate to the case.