Informed Consent

Deborah Bowman is Senior Lecturer in Medical Ethics and Law, Centre for Medical and Healthcare Education, Division of Population Health Sciences and Education, St George's, University of London, UK. John Spicer is a GP in South London, UK and Head of School, London School of General Practice, University of London. He has written widely on ethical matters in clinical practice, and maintains active interests in the medical humanities and the ethics of primary medical care. Rehana Iqbal is Consultant Anaesthetist and Lecturer in Medical Ethics and Law, St George's Healthcare NHS Trust and Centre for Medical and Healthcare Education, Division of Population Health Sciences and Education, St George's, University of London, UK.

• 1. Introduction: why focus on informed consent?; 2. Deciding who decides: capacity and consent; 3. Putting the informed into 'informed consent': information and decision-making; 4. Freedom of expression: the voluntary nature of consent; 5. A patient's prerogative? The continuing nature of consent; 6. Concluding words about consent; Index.