The forensic dimension of informed consent for medical care

The practice of the medical arts is more and more becoming framed by laws a nd regulations. Concurrently, the civil liability in the medical field has also been deeply changed, in particular by reversing the charge of proof of the information given to the patient. After having been reminded of the pl ace in the juridical arsenal of informed consent to a medical procedure, it s value is discussed regarding the explanations given by the physicians. Gu idelines for a forensic appraisal, with the aim of evaluating and appreciat ing the information received by the patient, are proposed. Recent judiciary decisions about refusal of care, especially blood transfusions, are discus sed. (C) 1999 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.