Consent is only valid if it was all these 3 together:

1.      Voluntary

2.      Informed

3.      obtained from a competent person

Voluntary: Don’t pressure patient and give them enough time to think and agree to treatment. Make sure young adults are not pressured by parents/peers.

Informed: Information provided must include:

a.      risks and benefits of the proposed treatment

b.     risks and benefits of any alternative treatment

c.      consequences of no treatment

Competent person: A person who have the capacity to give or withhold consent. A parent could consent on behalf of his young incapable child.