Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Prep Guide

The best term to describe a patient's active role in understanding the medical procedure they will undergo is informed consent. Informed consent requires that patients be provided with comprehensive information about their condition, the proposed procedure, its risks and benefits, and any alternatives before they make a decision regarding their care. This process ensures that patients are fully aware and can actively engage in the decision-making about their health.

Informed consent goes beyond merely signing a form; it emphasizes the patient's comprehension and willingness to participate in their healthcare journey. This aligns with the fundamental principles of patient-centered care, where patients are empowered to make choices informed by expert medical advice.

Patient autonomy refers to a patient’s right to make decisions regarding their medical care, while shared decision-making emphasizes collaboration between the patient and healthcare provider but does not capture the entirety of the understanding and consent process as well as informed consent does. Patient compliance relates to a patient's adherence to a treatment plan prescribed by a healthcare provider, which is different from their active involvement in understanding the procedure itself.