Informed Consent with a Focus on Islamic Views

For at least 50 years informed consent in medicine has focused on the principle of autonomy. Recently, attention has been given to informed consent being a shared decision. A primary mandate to do what is in the best interest of the patient still remains. The shared view looks to expand beyond the dyadic image of doctor and patient, to acknowledge the essential contribution to be made to informed consent from the cultural, religious, and personal values. This paper explores some of the cultural aspects of Islam that should influence informed consent.