Informed consent

Informed consent means agreeing to healthcare after receiving and understanding information relevant to the decision, including options, likely benefits and risks. The decision should be voluntary. It is more than clicking an acceptance box or assuming that attending an appointment means agreeing to every proposed action. Healthdirect Australia: Informed consent

Ask for the explanation you need

You can ask what is being proposed, why it is recommended and what alternatives exist. If medical language is unclear, ask the clinician to explain it differently. Understanding the decision matters more than appearing to know the terminology.

Tell the service if you need an interpreter, communication aid or support person. The arrangements should help you understand and express your own wishes. If another person is present during telehealth, clarify their role and whether you want them involved in the discussion.

Consent applies to the particular decision

Agreeing to a consultation does not necessarily settle every question about examination, tests, treatment, images or sharing information. Ask how information will be used if it is not clear. Different situations can involve different consent requirements. Healthdirect Australia: Informed consent

You can raise concerns about a proposed option and ask for time to consider it where the circumstances allow. Tell the clinician if cost, practical barriers or personal preferences affect your decision. Those factors can be important to choosing an approach you can actually follow.

Keep a record of the plan

Before the consultation ends, check what you have agreed to and what remains undecided. Ask how to contact the service with later questions. Do not interpret a consent discussion as a guarantee that treatment will produce a particular result.

Doccio's online doctor service is a setting for a doctor-led assessment. The clinician decides what can appropriately be offered, and you can ask questions about that recommendation. If you feel pressured or do not understand a decision, say so clearly so the conversation can address the problem before proceeding.