Abstract
During the last four decades the doctrine of in- formed consent (IC) has become a legal stan- dard and an essential component of ethical guidelines in medicine, due to its relevance for basic human rights such as autonomy and re- spect of dignity. Over the last few years, this legal formula has gained importance in veteri- nary medicine, thereby influencing the everyday activities of the veterinary practitioners. This paper briefly describes the ethical and legal background of IC in Italy and examines how it relates to the practice of veterinary medicine, considering the change in social sensibility to- wards animals. It also outlines the discussion that should take place between Veterinarian and client before a planned procedure.
Highlights
In recent years, patients’ consent to medical treatment has attracted the attention of legal doctrine and law, becoming the object of continual research and various interpretations and becoming so relevant as to gain independence from medical duty as a whole.From a paternalistic perspective, when the physician was the sole depository of medical secrets and the only one who could make decisions, physicians and patients have moved on to a new relationship as collaborating peers [1].The principle of informed consent (IC), reflects the concept of autonomy and self-determination [2] of a person requiring and requesting specific medical and/or surgical intervention
The Italian Principles of Veterinary Ethics indicate that a doctor of veterinary medicine has an obligation to protect the privacy of clients, but make an exception if a veterinarian is required by law to reveal confidential information, or if it becomes necessary to protect the health and welfare of an individual, animals, and/or others whose health and welfare may be endangered
The ever-growing importance attributed to IC is proof of a desire for quality in the physician-patient relationship, because it puts the patient's rights first, and the physician’s duties
Summary
Patients’ consent to medical treatment has attracted the attention of legal doctrine and law, becoming the object of continual research and various interpretations and becoming so relevant as to gain independence from medical duty as a whole. The theory of autonomy is defined as self-governance or self-rule, a capacity of people to reflect and choose, and freedom to express individual aspirations and preferences [3] Such a justification of IC lies with the fact that, in most of Europe and beyond it [4], physicians’ ethical codes see the duty to ask for IC as an expression of professional correctness itself [5]. The Italian Principles of Veterinary Ethics indicate that a doctor of veterinary medicine has an obligation to protect the privacy of clients, but make an exception if a veterinarian is required by law to reveal confidential information, or if it becomes necessary to protect the health and welfare of an individual, animals, and/or others whose health and welfare may be endangered. A veterinarian’s only obligation is of a moral kind
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