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Informed consent is a fundamental ethical and legal requirement in medical practice, ensuring that patients are fully aware of and agree to the procedures that will be performed on them. For informed consent to be valid, several key elements must be satisfied, including the patient’s capacity to make decisions, the provision of clear information about the procedure, the risks involved, and alternatives available. The patient must also voluntarily agree to proceed.

The requirement for written consent is particularly important in many jurisdictions for more invasive or high-risk procedures. This is because written consent serves as a formal record that the patient has been adequately informed and has agreed to the procedure, thus protecting both the patient and the healthcare provider. It also helps to prevent potential legal issues by demonstrating that the necessary information was provided and the patient's agreement was obtained.

In contrast, verbal consent may not sufficiently document the agreement, especially in situations involving significant risks. Similarly, implied consent usually applies in emergency situations where immediate action is required and the patient is unable to provide consent. Consent from a healthcare proxy does apply when a patient cannot provide consent due to incapacity, but this is not always necessary for every medical procedure. Thus, written consent is the definitive element for fulfilling the informed consent requirement in most medical contexts.