Virtual Formats Threaten Surgical Informed Consent’s Moral Ends

Virtual informed consent, adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic, persists despite its resolution, challenging the traditional “information-transfer” model. This study argues for a “trust-building” model, emphasizing the interpersonal and systemic aspects of consent. It explores the limitations of virtual formats in fulfilling this comprehensive understanding and proposes an ethical framework for physicians navigating this novel virtual space.