THE PROGRAMME
The Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology at Khaja Bandanawaz University organized a CME on “Consent and it’s medicolegal importance” on the 28th of February 2025. The event aimed to enhance the understanding of medical professionals regarding the significance of consent, its ethical considerations, legal implications, and best practices in clinical settings.The event brought together distinguished speakers from the medical and legal fields to provide valuable insights into this crucial subject.
The event commenced at 09:30 AM with a brief introduction by Dr. Syeda Safura Fatima, Tutor, Dept. of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, who initiated the program with a recitation from the Holy Quran on the screen to set a solemn tone.
Dr. Zama Moosvi, Dean Academics and Prof.& I/C Head of the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology thanked Almighty God and Patrons of KBN University and extended a warm welcome to the audience. She provided an insightful introduction to the CME, outlining its objectives i.e. to bring an understanding of the fundamental role of consent as a legal and ethical obligation in patient care. She emphasized the critical role of consent in medical practice and the need for healthcare professionals to be well-versed in its legal aspects too.
The first session was delivered by Dr. Syed Hissamuddin Uzair, Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences. He provided a comprehensive overview of the different types of consent, their significance in medical practice, and the ethical responsibilities of healthcare providers. His talk highlighted real-life cases emphasizing the importance of proper consent documentation.
The second session was led by Mrs Geeta Sajjanshetty, Advocate, High Court, Kalaburagi, who discussed the legal perspectives on consent. She elaborated on the medico-legal framework governing consent, court rulings, and legal challenges faced by medical professionals in cases of disputed consent. Her session was highly informative and helped bridge the gap between medicine and law.
A dynamic panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Mohsenul Haq, Associate Professor, BRIMS, Bidar, Dr. Deepak, Associate Professor, GIMS, Kalaburagi. Panelists engaged in discussions on real-world consent-related dilemmas, including emergency situations, minors, and patient autonomy. The very engaging interactive session allowed many of the participants to clarify doubts and gain practical insights.
Dignitaries including Honorable Vice Chancellor-Prof. Ali Raza Moosvi, Dr Guruprasad K.Y. - Dean-FOMS, KBNU, Dr Mohammed Abdul Baseer-Director IQAC and Incharge COE, Dr Zama Moosvi- Dean Academics and Prof & Incharge Head, Dept of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Speakers- Dr Syed Hissamuddin Uzair, Mrs Geeta Sajjanshetty- Advocate, Dr Basavaraj Shanker Patil- KMC Observer and moderators Dr. Mohsenul Haq, Dr. Deepak S. were felicitated during the event.’
Dr. Guruprasad K.Y., Dean of FOMS, KBNU, in his address, stressed the importance of informed consent and its medicolegal implications, highlighting it as a cornerstone of ethical medical practice.
Honorable Vice Chancellor-Prof. Ali Raza Moosvi, in his address, he highlighted the critical role of informed consent in maintaining trust between healthcare providers and patients. He urged everyone to integrate this essential practice into their work, ensuring both ethical integrity and legal compliance in all medical interactions."
Dr. Khaja Azizuddin Junaidi, Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, expressed gratitude to the dignitaries, speakers, moderators, KMC Observer, organizers and attendees for their participation and contributions to the success of the event. He emphasized the importance of implementing the knowledge gained from the lecture.
The event was followed by Lunch.
The CME on “Consent and Its Medicolegal Importance” was an enriching experience that successfully bridged the gap between medicine and law. It was a highly informative and engaging event, equipping attendees with the necessary knowledge to handle consent-related issues effectively. The interactive discussions and expert insights made it a valuable learning experience. It emphasized the need for medical practitioners to prioritize patient rights and legal safeguards while obtaining consent. The event proved to be highly beneficial, leaving participants with valuable knowledge and practical approaches to handling consent-related matters in clinical practice.
ABOUT THE LECTURE
Dr. Syed Hissamuddin Uzair gave a helpful lecture on why consent is important in medical practice from both a legal and ethical perspective. He explained that consent isn’t just a formality—it’s a key part of patient care that doctors must follow. He initiated the session with history of consent.
He explained the types of Consent - Implied Consent – Assumed through patient actions (e.g., extending an arm for an injection). Expressed Consent – Given verbally or in writing before medical procedures. Informed Consent – The highest level of consent where the patient is fully informed about the risks, benefits, and alternatives before agreeing to a procedure.
He emphasized the Importance of Consent in Medical Ethics and Law which - protects the patient rights and choices, protects doctors from legal issues and malpractice claims, ensures clear doctor-patient communication.
He addressed the challenges in obtaining Consent in emergency situations where immediate treatment is required, dealing with minors, mentally ill patients, and unconscious patients.
Dr. Uzair also presented real-world examples where lack of proper consent led to legal battles, medical negligence claims, and ethical dilemmas.
His lecture provided a deep understanding of consent and medico-legal importance, equipping attendees with best practices for obtaining and documenting consent properly to safeguard both patients and healthcare professionals.
Advocate Miss Geeta delivered a compelling session that focused on the legal aspects of consent in medical practice. She explained how inadequate or improper consent can lead to legal liability, lawsuits, and disciplinary action against doctors.
She explained the Legal Framework Governing Consent, Medico-Legal Risks & Consequences of Inadequate Consent, Negligence and malpractice lawsuits due to lack of proper patient consent, Doctor’s liability in case of consent-related disputes, Role of proper documentation in preventing legal complications.
She discussed landmark legal cases where improper consent led to serious legal consequences for doctors.
She also discussed a case involving a Jehovah’s Witness, where a doctor in an emergency saved the life of the Jehovah’s Witness by giving a blood transfusion. That person sued the doctor for giving blood transfusion without his consent.
She emphasized the importance of keeping detailed records of consent discussions to avoid medico-legal troubles.
Mrs Geeta Sajjanshetty reminded everyone that consent is not just a medical procedure, but a legal requirement. Doctors need to understand the legal rules, get valid consent, and document everything carefully to avoid legal issues while respecting patient rights. Her lecture helped bridge the gap between medical ethics and legal requirements.
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