Dealing with the complexity of health-related risk communication: philosophical and cognitive aspects behind “informed consent” within a person-centered context

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Published: Sep 30, 2011
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5750/ijpcm.v1i3.108

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Daniele Chiffi
University of Padova
Francesca Foltran
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Laboratory of Epidemiological Methods and Biostatistics, University of Padova, Italy
Dario Gregori
Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Laboratory of Epidemiological Methods and Biostatistics, University of Padova, Italy

Abstract

Studies of risk are a multidisciplinary scientific research field of growing interest. Nevertheless, a universally accepted definition of risk has yet to be agreed. Health-related risk is a sector of risk studies for which there should be an essential interplay between risk perception and risk communication. The present paper argues that the effectiveness of risk communication in the health domain can be considerably improved by taking into consideration the cognitive and emotional biases and all the factors affecting risk perception. We contend that risk communication is effective when based on the negotiation of meanings and therapeutic options in the doctor-patient relationship and that this is essential in the context of informed consent and person-centered medicine. 

Article Details

Issue
Vol. 1 No. 3 (2011): September
Section
Regular Articles

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