Informed Consent defined 

n.    Consent by a person to undergo a medical procedure, participate in a clinical trial, or be counseled by a professional such as a social worker or lawyer, after receiving all material information regarding risks, benefits, and alternatives.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

The idea of entering into a contract or having a medical procedure without first receiving informed consent is almost foreign. However it happens more often than we realize. Even after being a nurse for 15 years I can get caught off guard talking with my physician. It is easy to get hyper-focused on what they are saying and recommending that we forget to ask questions about the options they are suggesting. Over the course of my career I have seen patients agree to the first treatment offered by a physician before they were done explaining options.

Unfortunately, most of the time the process ends before. However, informed consent doesn't stop with the provider telling the patient "what is next."  Medical professionals are educated on what is best for the majority of the population but, we know each individual is unique. True informed consent includes a discussion on the risks, benefits, and alternatives to each option. Without these keys a conversation cannot take place between the provider and patient to determine the best option for the individual and reduce the risk for surprises outcomes.