薬物療法における患者サービス, 特にインラォームド・コンセントについて

抄録

“Informed consent” is a term now in vogue, but we cannot deny the fact that this term has preceded the reality. This is also true with regard to “patient services” in hospitals. Unfortunately, we seldom encounter a situation where such services are provided in our hospitals. Instead, we tend to justify the absence of services by referring to the shortage of manpower and other resources.
With regard to drug therapy, pharmacists have provided services such as guidance on taking medicines, the introduction of various information systems, and the issue of prescriptions for out-of-hospital dispensing. However, the lack of sufficient information for the patients taking medicines, which should come before such services, has to be pointed out. The meaning of the “informed consent” is not just giving informations to patients and obtaining their consent, but it also refers to the rights of patients, including the right of self-determination. They have the right of choice with regard to every stage of medical care. Only when this is achieved, can genuine informed consent be realized.