Abstract

OVALLE, Constanza. Practice and Meaning of Informed Consent in Hospitals in Colombia and Chile. Rev.latinoam.cienc.soc.niñez juv [online]. 2012, vol.10, n.1, pp.541-561. ISSN 1692-715X.

The practice and meaning of informed consent (IC) is compared in two hospitals in Colombia and Chile, using the qualitative method of case studies. The empirical results were compared, using the inductive method, with the tensions, differences, and links among the theoretical suppositions of bioethics and the legal suppositions in the period of 2005-2008, in the context of the respective public policies. The non-fulfillment of IC and non-recognition of the patient's autonomy in the IC practice was confirmed. A way to settle the conflict between the bioethical and legal aspects of the IC and the foundation of the approach of rights with a bioethics perspective are proposed, and the guidelines for the IC process are set out.

Keywords : informed consent; autonomy; patient rights; dignity; communication; health policies.

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