[Prerequisites and limits of informed consent].

The process of getting an "informed consent" is based on judicial necessity as well as on the relationship between the patient and his doctor, which has been changing remarkably over the last years. In this alliance the idea of autonomy increases, while the paternal treatment is loosing its influence continuously. Although patients have the right to decide, they also need competence in order to make a decision. Many circumstances may be responsible for a corruption of this competence. A communication based on appreciation, empathy and authenticity is able to discover such circumstances and fight against them. This kind of communication is able to prevent communication gaps, even when severe or dangerous realities have to be verbally expressed. Despite the judicial necessity the healing power of communication should get a more central place in therapy.