Philosophical Discussions and Cultural Understanding Within Informed Consent

Medical professionals are held to a specific standard of informed consent when treating their patients. Doctors cannot perform a treatment on a patient who did not agree to it with full knowledge of what it is, how it is performed, and the complications that it could potentially cause. On the basis of qualitative interviews with healthcare professionals, traditional healers and patients, we assessed the approaches to addressing such differences using interpretative approaches. One area where the questions still arise with regards to informed consent is in regards to people of differing cultures. A large number of factors between people of different cultures can greatly alter how they view consent. Some people have strong dislike for certain medical procedures and other groups involve people in the decision making process that may be traditional. Still others have different views on who it is that should be informed of the patient’s conditions. This addendum is intended to clarify and provide understanding of the responses and narratives based on the patients’ interviews, and care providers’ views of the role of culture and understanding within informed consent.