(Informed consent: edging forward and backwards)
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In his editorial, Smith says that informed consent within practice, research and publication is coming increasingly to the fore, as the balance of power in the doctor patient partnership tips towards patients. Commenting on the articles in this week's BMJ, Smith concludes that the material does not provide a simple solution to the question of acceptable limits of informed consent in medical studies - it complicates the matter further. For doctors "who just want to get on with things", Smith fears life is likely to become more frustrating and concludes that the complexity of this debate will continue to expand.
Contact:
Dr Richard Smith, Editor, BMJ, BMA House, Tavistock Square, London
t: 0171 383 6529
f: 0171 383 6403
100336.3120.compuserve.com