When must verbal consent be obtained?

Verbal consent must be obtained before any treatment is provided to a patient. This practice aligns with ethical standards and legal requirements in healthcare, emphasizing the importance of informed consent. In the chiropractic field, practitioners have a duty to ensure that patients are fully aware of the treatment they are about to receive, the associated benefits, risks, and any alternatives available to them. Obtaining verbal consent reinforces the practitioner’s commitment to respecting patient autonomy and fosters a trusting relationship between the chiropractor and the patient.

While written consent may also be necessary in certain situations, particularly for more invasive procedures or treatments, verbal consent serves as an immediate acknowledgment of the patient's understanding and agreement to proceed with the treatment being proposed. Thus, consistent with best practices across healthcare, verbal consent is essential at the outset of any treatment session.