Michael Kirsch, M.D., takes a rather skeptical look at the “informed consent” (of patients) movement.

In an essay in Med City News he writes:

“I’m not advocating depriving patients of information they are entitled to in order to make rational health decisions. I believe in informed consent and have written many essays supporting it. However, I often believe that this process overwhelms patients and their families with competing choices that torture and confuse them.

“As a statement of fact, many patients today are only seeking our best recommendation, even though physicians today go much further in an effort to meet our ethical obligation and to protect against a medical malpractice charge.”

To read the essay, please hit this link.