EXPERIENCES IN PRACTICE OF THE APPLICATION OF INFORMED CONSENT IN THE CLINICAL CENTER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SARAJEVO

Abstract

Informed consent in medicine is a fundamental institute of modern health care, the essence of which is to preserve patients' autonomy and ensure their active role in making decisions about their own treatment. It implies that the patient, before agreeing to any diagnostic or therapeutic procedure, is thoroughly, clearly and comprehensibly informed about the nature of the disease, possible treatment options, expected benefits, risks and possible complications. In practice, informed consent is seen as a complex process of communication that requires a high level of ethical responsibility and professional dedication of healthcare workers. In the clinical environment, especially in large te rtiary institutions such as the Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, this process is fully regulated, but often faced with numerous challenges. Lack of time, administrative burden, differences in the level of understanding between patients and th e use of professional terminology represent obstacles that make it difficult to consistently apply informed consent. At the same time, experience from practice confirms that a well -conducted information process significantly reduces the risk of misunderstandings, complaints and legal consequences. Therefore, informed consent should be viewed as an important indicator of the quality of medical practice, professional integrity and respect for human rights in the modern health system.