BIOETHICS FOR CLINICIAN .2. DISCLOSURE

In the context of patient consent, ''disclosure'' refers to the provis ion of relevant information by the clinician and its comprehension by the patient. Both elements are necessary for valid consent. Disclosure should inform the patient adequately about the treatment and its expe cted effects, relevant alternative options and their benefits and risk s, and the consequences of declining or delaying treatment. The clinic ian's goal is to disclose information that a reasonable person in the patient's position would need in order to make an informed decision. T herefore, clinicians may need to consider how the proposed treatment ( and other options) might affect the patient's employment, finances, fa mily life and other personal concerns. Clinicians may also need to be sensitive to cultural and religious beliefs that can affect disclosure .