Title
The therapeutic misconception and our models of competency and informed consent
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Psychiatry
Date
8-3-2006
Document Type
Article
Medical Subject Headings
Bioethics; Humans; Informed Consent; Mental Competency; Personal Autonomy; United States
Disciplines
Health Services Research | Mental and Social Health | Psychiatric and Mental Health | Psychiatry | Psychiatry and Psychology
Abstract
The doctrine of informed consent rests on empirical claims. This is true particularly of what commentators have characterized as the "strong" model of informed consent. This model assumes that if adequate information is given to a competent individual, understanding will result and, permitted to make a voluntary decision, the individual will make a rational decision. However, the "therapeutic misconception" posits that individuals may confuse the goals of research with those of treatment and may make decisions that do not rest on adequate understanding. This article reviews research suggesting that this may in fact be true, and concludes that, as a result, traditional notions of informed consent may not yield results consistent with the assumptions on which the doctrine of informed consent rests.
Rights and Permissions
Citation: Behav Sci Law. 2006;24(4):535-46. Link to article on publisher's site
