What does "informed consent" refer to in healthcare?

Informed consent in healthcare is a vital process that ensures patients are fully informed before undergoing any procedures or treatments. It requires that healthcare providers educate patients about the potential risks, benefits, and alternatives related to a proposed intervention. This means that patients have the opportunity to ask questions and understand the implications of their choices, allowing them to make decisions that align with their values and preferences.

This concept emphasizes the patient’s right to autonomy in their healthcare decisions. By obtaining informed consent, healthcare providers demonstrate respect for the patient's ability to understand their own health needs and to actively participate in their care. It is not simply about obtaining a signature on a document; it involves a meaningful exchange of information between the provider and the patient. Thus, option B accurately represents this complex interaction by highlighting that consent is a legal agreement arrived at only after the patient has been adequately informed.