Medical Ethics: Patient Informed Consent

The doctor is obligated to explain all technical details related to the treatment to the patient.

The doctor is responsible for damages even if they did not commit an error if they fail to inform the patient about the risks of the surgical procedure.

The obligation to inform includes informing the patient of unlikely results.

The judge must consider the doctor’s good faith and sincere desire to save the patient’s life when examining the extent of the obligation to inform.

The doctor is responsible for an error in diagnosis if they used outdated methods to examine a pregnant woman.

The doctor is not responsible for errors in diagnosis if the patient's symptoms do not help reveal the truth.

The doctor must consult with more experienced colleagues if the patient’s condition allows it.

The doctor's error in interpreting symptoms always entails liability.

Obligation to Inform the Patient

Doctor is obligated to inform the patient about the nature of treatment and risks of surgical procedure.
Failure to inform leads to doctor's responsibility for any damages, even without error.
Limitations to obligation to inform:
- No need to inform about unlikely results.
- Doctor not obligated to explain all technical details.
Judge must consider patient's psychological state and doctor's good faith.
Doctor's sincere desire to save patient's life is also considered.

Doctor's Error in Diagnosis

Doctor's error in diagnosis not liable unless due to blatant ignorance of scientific profession principles.
No responsibility if patient's symptoms do not reveal truth (e.g., infections, tuberculosis in early stages).
Doctor not responsible if diagnosis based on scientific opinion that was preferred over another.
Doctor liable if:
- Did not use modern scientific methods (e.g., x-rays, microscopic examination) unless patient's condition prohibited.
- Used old methods to examine pregnant woman, potentially harming fetus.
- Did not consult with more experienced colleague to make precise diagnosis.

This quiz assesses understanding of the doctor's obligation to inform patients about treatment and surgical risks, including the limits of this obligation and potential consequences.