Responding to Trust: Surgeons’ Perspective on Informed Consent

Abstract

Surgeons carefully assess the risks and benefits of treatment before consenting to perform operative interventions. They are influenced by objective findings and by affective factors such as courage and the determination to survive expressed by their patients. They manage risks, doubts, and fears-both their patients' and their own-relying on trust and commitment on both sides to ensure the success of the surgical mission. The trust of their patients has a strong influence on the surgeons' decisions and actions.