What is implied consent?

Implied consent refers to the type of consent that is inferred from a person's actions, rather than stated directly. In a healthcare context, this means that when a patient engages with a healthcare provider and allows for an examination or treatment to proceed, their behavior indicates consent without the need for explicit verbal or written agreement. For instance, if a patient rolls up their sleeve for a blood draw, they are implicitly giving consent for the procedure.

This concept is essential in medical practice, especially in situations where obtaining verbal or written consent may not be feasible or practical. Implied consent is often understood in the context of routine procedures where a patient's willingness to participate is evident through their actions.

The other options represent different types of consent. Formal written consent involves a documented agreement, while verbal consent over the phone indicates an explicit agreement but does not align with the notion of being implied. Lastly, the idea that consent cannot be revoked contradicts the fundamental principles of ethical healthcare practice, which emphasizes that informed consent must always remain revocable by the patient. Thus, the focus on actions as a form of consent characterizes the essence of implied consent.