In which scenario is a physician NOT required to disclose risks to a patient?

In the context of informed consent, a physician is generally required to disclose potential risks associated with a medical procedure or treatment to ensure the patient can make an informed decision about their healthcare. However, when the risk is commonly known, the physician is not required to go into detail about it. This is because it is presumed that a patient would have knowledge of inherent risks that are widely recognized within a specific treatment or procedure.

In medical practice, common risks are those that a reasonable person could expect to encounter without explicit discussion. For example, risks associated with a well-known procedure, such as a routine surgery, might include pain or infection, which most patients are likely aware of. In such cases, focusing on more unique or significant risks is more relevant to the informed consent process.

The other scenarios present situations where disclosure would generally be necessary. If a patient requests information, the physician has an ethical obligation to provide it. If the patient is competent to make decisions, they need to be informed to exercise that competence fully. Lastly, for severe risks that could honestly alter a patient's behavior, transparency is critical in allowing the patient to weigh their options effectively.