The Construction of the Free and Informed Consent Form in the Healthcare Sector

Abstract

This article explores the most efficient nomenclature for constructing the Informed Consent Form (ICF) in the healthcare field, as well as examining the particularities that culminate in the document's approval. The ICF is a document that aims to clarify the diagnosis, prognosis, risks, and objectives of treatments recommended to patients. It seeks to promote the active and autonomous informed participation of patients, providing adequate information such as benefits, risks, consequences, and treatment alternatives. This is a descriptive qualitative study whose main objective is to provide an overview, from the perspective of physicians in the public health network (Family Health Program) of a municipality in the interior of São Paulo, regarding the constructive characteristics of informed consent, such as its conceptualization, the right to informed consent, and the limitations of clinical procedures for which consent must be obtained. The meetings took place in person, and data collection was carried out through semi-structured interviews. The results indicated that, of the 26 physicians interviewed, 57.7% responded that the category "TCLE" (Informed Consent Form) is the best way to name the document. Meanwhile, 19.2% believe that the category "informed consent" is the most appropriate, and 15.4% state that the most suitable designation is the category "enlightened consent." Beyond the appropriate nomenclature, the importance of the physician's communicative action towards their patient is highlighted, remembering that respect for the patient's autonomy is more than just a signature; it is a fundamental bioethical principle in the consent process.