Informed Consent and Health

A Global Analysis

Global Perspectives on Medical Law series

Edited by Thierry Vansweevelt, Professor of Medical Law, University of Antwerp, Belgium and Nicola Glover-Thomas, Professor of Medical Law, University of Manchester, UK

知情同意是法律instrument that purports to protect an individual’s autonomy and defends against medical arbitrariness. This illuminating book investigates our evolving understanding of informed consent from a range of comparative and international perspectives, demonstrating the diversity of its interpretations around the world. Chapters offer a nuanced analysis of the problems that impede the understanding and implementation of the concept of informed consent and explore the contemporary challenges that continue to hinder both the patient and the medical community.

‘There is no shortage of scholarship on informed consent, but this superb collection proves that there is always more to say. All of the chapters are of tremendous quality and the countries are well chosen. . . This book is part of a new series on Global Perspectives on Medical Law, and if the other volumes are anywhere close to the quality of this collection, then I look forward to reading them.’
– Craig Purshouse, Medical Law Review

‘Vansweevelt and Glover-Thomas have succeeded in providing a comprehensive picture of the principle of informed consent. This volume shows that despite many different levels of detail, and different interpretations, most countries have rooted the principle of informed consent within their national legislation.’
– André den Exter, Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands

‘Consent to health care and treatment is a cornerstone of ethical medical practice and any exceptions must be carefully justified. But what exactly is informed consent? This timely book will be of invaluable assistance to practitioners, students and researchers from a range of disciplines, who are interested in understanding what the doctrine of informed consent means across countries with diverse legal systems. This book provides a useful, comparative overview of the scope, interpretation and practical application of informed consent with a view to informing the development of this important doctrine.’
– Bernadette McSherry, University of Melbourne, Australia