What is expressed consent?

Expressed consent refers specifically to the clear, unequivocal permission given by a patient for a medical procedure, which is communicated either verbally or in writing. This type of consent is critical in healthcare because it demonstrates that the patient has been adequately informed about the procedure, understands the associated risks and benefits, and voluntarily agrees to proceed.

For various reasons, expressed consent is important: it protects the patient's rights and autonomy and also provides legal protection for healthcare providers by ensuring that consent was obtained before proceeding with any intervention. Written consent is often required for more invasive procedures, while verbal consent may be sufficient for less invasive or routine procedures.

In this context, the other options do not accurately convey the definition of expressed consent. Nonverbal cues represent implied consent but do not reflect the definitive agreement that expressed consent requires. Consent for future procedures only relates to a broader context of consent but does not define expressed consent itself. Assumed consent is typically utilized in emergency situations where immediate action is necessary, and a patient may not be able to give consent, which deviates from the concept of expressed consent where the patient's explicit agreement is crucial.