Content area
Full text
Introduction
There are limited academic publications on the topic of informed consent in veterinary medicine, and these mostly focus on the professional requirements of consent ( Passantino and others 2011 ), the role of veterinary nurses ( Wager 2011 , Macdonald and Gray 2014 ) or concerns regarding abuse of power in the consent process ( Yeates and Main 2010 , Danks 2014 ). Although consent is seen as critical to the contract and to the authorisation of veterinary interventions, there have been no studies to date centred on client understanding or their perception of veterinary informed consent. The aim of this study is to provide insight into veterinary client perceptions of informed consent at a veterinary referral hospital.
Informed consent in human medicine reflects the right of patients to autonomous choice, and is often seen as essential to countering paternalism ( O'Neill 2003 ). In addition, consent may have a role in protecting patients against harm and in encouraging medical professionals to act responsibly in their interaction with patients ( Heywood and others 2010 ). The consent process is meant to be empowering to the patient in order to redress the power differential between them and the physician ( Schuck 1994 ). The emphasis on obtaining valid consent may empower patients by placing an obligation on doctors to provide information and explanation. Debate continues about the amount of information disclosure that should be regarded as adequate or sufficient, but the trajectory seems in favour of increase in required disclosure ( Parsons and others 2013 ). Current General Medical Council (GMC) guidance to doctors places consent within a framework of partnership in decision making and sees good partnership as being based on openness, trust and good communication ( GMC 2008 ). Within this context, consent could be seen as affirmation of a patient's decision made with the support of the clinician. Doctors are directed to respect a patient's decision even if this is at variance with the view of the doctors.
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) places informed consent as an essential part of the contract between the client and the veterinarian. There are some similarities, but also subtle distinctions in approach and emphasis-for example, around the notions of ownership and contract, and...