Informed consent is based on adequate information regarding the issue and voluntary action without what?

Informed consent is a foundational principle in both healthcare and guardianship settings, emphasizing that individuals must have sufficient information to make decisions about their own care and treatment. A critical component of achieving informed consent is that the individual's choice must be made voluntarily, free from undue pressure or influence.

Coercion refers specifically to situations where someone is forced or manipulated into making a decision against their will. In the context of informed consent, if a person is coerced, they are not genuinely making a free choice because external pressures compromise their autonomy. Thus, for consent to be informed, individuals must voluntarily agree to the proposed action or treatment without any form of coercive influence.

This principle reinforces the importance of creating an environment where individuals feel safe and empowered to make their own choices, ensuring their rights and dignity are respected.