Informed Consent

As defined by The Joint Commission, informed consent is "a process of communication between a clinician and a patient that results in the patient’s authorization or agreement to undergo a specific medical intervention."64 Informed consent enables individuals to make decisions about their own care and is necessary for their safety. The process of informed consent involves disclosing relevant information, such as the rationale for a recommendation, anticipated benefits, possible risks and complications, and alternatives, including no intervention. This information can be offered both verbally and in writing, using language that the person can understand. Written consent is one way of documenting that the informed consent process has taken place. Institutions may require written consent in some circumstances (for example, initial consent to care and procedures, such as contraceptive device placement), whereas other circumstances only require a verbal agreement. Each facility should develop a policy and procedure for informed consent processes.

To apply a trauma-informed approach to informed consent in SRH care, providers should have an ongoing and transparent dialogue with patients during the clinical visit that honors patient autonomy and decision making. In this approach, providers should ask for permission to discuss sensitive topics (for example, sexual history, substance use) and to provide the recommended physical exam.

There is long-standing legal support for young people to independently consent to SRH care. At the time of publication, no state requires parental consent for STI services, and most states explicitly allow minors to consent to contraceptive services.65, 66 Consult official state resources and databases to better understand specific laws and regulations.