What is the difference between implied consent and informed consent?

• A. Implied consent is informal (e.g., extending an arm) while informed consent is a legal, written term requiring the individual to be competent and understand the procedure.
• B. Implied consent must be written; informed consent can be verbal.
• C. Implied consent requires a signature; informed consent does not.
• D. There is no difference between implied and informed consent.

Answer: (A)

Consent in healthcare comes in different forms. Implied consent happens when a patient’s actions indicate agreement to treatment rather than a formal, spoken or written permission. For example, if a patient extends an arm for a blood draw or allows a provider to perform a quick, non-urgent procedure, consent is assumed by virtue of their cooperation. Informed consent, on the other hand, is a formal process where the clinician explains the procedure, its risks, benefits, and alternatives, and the patient must be competent to understand and freely agree. This agreement is typically documented in writing (and sometimes electronically) after the patient has had a genuine opportunity to ask questions and consider the information.

So the best description is that implied consent is informal and based on patient actions, while informed consent is a documented, legal process requiring understanding and competence. The other statements don’t fit because implied consent is not required to be written or signed, and there is a meaningful difference between the two.