Which term describes the understanding and acceptance of medical risks and benefits by a patient?

The term that describes the understanding and acceptance of medical risks and benefits by a patient is informed consent. Informed consent is a fundamental principle in healthcare, requiring that patients be provided with adequate information about their diagnosis, treatment options, potential risks, and benefits, allowing them to make knowledgeable decisions about their care. This process ensures that patients have the autonomy to agree to or refuse treatment based on a clear understanding of their situation.

Informed consent is crucial for fostering trust between patients and healthcare providers, emphasizing the ethical obligation of providers to respect and support patient autonomy. This concept integrates communication and education, highlighting the necessity for patients to have not only access to information but also the ability to comprehend it, which is central to making informed choices about their healthcare.

While patient empowerment, medical ethics, and healthcare literacy may relate to aspects of patient care and understanding, they do not specifically define the formal process of acknowledging and accepting medical risks and benefits like informed consent does. Patient empowerment refers more broadly to encouraging patients to take an active role in their healthcare decisions, medical ethics involve moral principles guiding healthcare practices, and healthcare literacy focuses on a patient's ability to understand and use health information effectively.