Informed consent: does the consent process reflect the realities of current treatment, procedures, and side effects?

Quality in, quality out. The consent process can be complete and realistic or it can be a sham. The key is in whether physicians listen to parents' questions and answer them. It must be certain that information is given on what is happening, that the parent is told what could happen in the specific treatment involved, and that the information given is up-to-date. The law views each family as a unique entity with its own personal bundle of hopes, fears, and concerns, and views the consent process in the light of this subjective standard. Would the family consent to this treatment if it was disclosed that the treatment might result in sterility, mental dysfunction, or limb loss? Is there a risk that this child could become severely brain-damaged? Are there alternative treatments? A parent's decision as surrogate for a child can only be as good as the information that physicians provide.