What principle of ethics is primarily related to informed consent?

The principle of ethics that is primarily related to informed consent is patient autonomy. This principle emphasizes the right of individuals to make informed decisions about their own healthcare. Informed consent is a process through which patients are provided with all necessary information about a proposed treatment, including its risks, benefits, and alternatives, enabling them to make an educated choice related to their health and well-being.

Patient autonomy recognizes that patients are the best judges of their own interests and values, and thus they should have the freedom to choose or refuse treatment based on their understanding and personal circumstances. This principle is fundamental in the healthcare setting, ensuring that patients actively participate in their care and that their choices are respected.

Beneficence, while closely related, focuses more on the obligation to act in the best interest of the patient rather than the patient's right to make their own choices. Justice pertains to fairness and equality in providing healthcare, ensuring that individuals have fair access to treatment options. Non-maleficence relates to the duty to do no harm to patients, emphasizing the importance of preventing harm in the provision of care.