Consent to be treated with commercial medical treatment.

Abstract

The author’s objective is to introduce the issues of consent for treatment and medical treatment cost which “must be consented”.   In general medical practice, medical doctor will inform what patients need to know before any treatment, such as what kind of illness and how to treat such an illness.   This is so that patients will know and decide whether to receive the medical treatment.  This is called academically “informed consent”.   At present, some of private medical service providers charge expensively, which change the perception of medical  treatment as a form of human right to becomes a profit-oriented business. This causes some patients unable to pay, or having to borrow money in order to extend his/her life.  Moreover, as Thailand becomes international medical hub, it has an impact on economy, health service system, and medical ethics.  These problems are being debated in society and becoming legal issues.  This article hopefully will help in reflecting the problems, and suggesting alternatives in remedy the situation. This will also help to remind health professional morally and ethically