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== Orthodoxy and informed consent ==
For Orthodox Christians, what does all this mean? The issue seems to be clear cut, why all the fuss? According to Fr. Breck, "Some Christian ethicists today are suggesting that our unity in the Body of [[Christ]] implies a mutual commitment that in certain cases transcends the need for informed consent and transforms the self-centered notion of personal 'rights' into the self-giving gesture of care offered to others in love.{{ref|1}} It seems that Fr. Breck is saying that there should not be a need for informed consent because the patients should totally give themselves over to the doctor's care in love because, ultimately, the patients are give giving themselves over to God as the doctor is working within a Christian framework of caring through love, "ground[ing] personal relationships—between doctor and patient as between the medical team and the patient's family—in the ultimate relationship of love, trust and mutual devotion."{{ref|1}} This seems as being the ultimate goal, that is needed to strive for in this world, but that is not a current reality or something that is feasibly expected at this point. If this is the ultimate goal of Orthodox Christians, how does one continually work towards this goal within the world of today? What should be the response to informed consent within the secular framework as followers of Christ?
Unfortunately, not a lot has been written on this topic from an Orthodox standpoint.{{ref|7}} This may be because there is not a lot to say. The issue appears to be pretty cut and dry. Informed consent is necessary for a proper understanding of a procedure being done and it is the responsibility of doctors to provide the needed information so that patients can understand what is happening. Following the guidelines listed above and others in the cited websites should ensure that the patient is informed. The real issues appear to be revolving around the question of the patient's mental competency. For Orthodox Christians, the answer to that question appears simple. The patient, the patient's family and the doctor all need to open themselves up to hear what God is saying in the situation. The patient's family needs to be sensitive to the needs of the patient and listen to what they are actually saying, not only what the family thinks they are saying. The doctor needs to also be sensitive to the needs of the patient and recognize the patient's concerns and fears. In addition, the doctor must be vigilant in providing the patient with all the possible options in an unbiased manner allowing the patient to make the decision. The patient needs to be open to listening to others, whether the doctor or the family. Inasmuch as they all need to listen to the patient, the patient also needs to listen to them. The patient, patient's family, and the medical team need to work within a framework of "the ultimate relationship of love, trust and mutual devotion shared by the three Persons of the Holy Trinity.{{ref|1}} This may mean the patient or their family needs to "let go," that the doctor needs to accept a difficult decision from the family, or the patient needs to trust the suggestions of the doctor even if this means a difficult surgery.
== Conclusion ==
Ultimately, the issue of informed consent is one of the few, if not the only, doctor-related issues within bioethics. The onus appears to be placed primarily on the physician to completely inform the patient and continue in dialogue with the patient. When this burden is not upheld by the physician, there are boundaries within secular law that can allow for the patient to seek remuneration from the physician. Unfortunately, this has become very common and may have caused for physicians to fear patients and also provided for a lot of extra paperwork. Ideally, we would all work within the framework provided by Fr. Breck of "the ultimate relationship of love, trust and mutual devotion shared by the three Persons of the [[Holy Trinity[[]],"{{ref|1}} but within the current reality as Orthodox Christians one is to at least work towards these goals first and by example bring others to this understanding. Issues surrounding informed consent at the end of life further complicate things, but within this framework are seemingly easier to understand and cope with. Within the issues of Bioethics, Orthodox Christians will continually be searching for God's will in all situations and, by trust in him, Orthodox Christians will be able to make proper decisions. Thus, for Orthodox Christians, a definition of informed consent or a list of what is considered complete informed consent would then have to include information regarding God's will.
== References ==
