{"id":14269,"date":"2020-01-28T14:30:00","date_gmt":"2020-01-28T13:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.viafirma.com\/blog-xnoccio\/que-es-consentimiento-informado-y-como-se-firma\/"},"modified":"2026-07-24T10:27:22","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T08:27:22","slug":"what-are-informed-consents-and-how-can-they-be-esigned","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.viafirma.com\/en\/what-are-informed-consents-and-how-can-they-be-esigned\/","title":{"rendered":"What are informed consents and how can they be eSigned?"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

At present, every sector is transforming its document management system through the use of electronic signatures, and the healthcare sector is no exception. Informed consent forms, medical records and the signing of contracts for medical staff are just some of the documents that are now signed digitally to optimise efficiency without compromising legal certainty.<\/p>\r\n

Among these, the informed consent form is the document that ensures respect for the patient\u2019s autonomy in medical decision-making, but having it signed by hand results in countless hours wasted, high storage costs and an unmanageable volume of paper. Hence the need to make the switch to digital tools.<\/p>\r\n

In this guide, we detail the regulatory requirements this document must meet under Spanish law, when its use in written form is mandatory, and how Viafirma\u2019s digital signature solutions enable these documents to be secured with full legal guarantees and zero paper.<\/p>\r\n

What is informed consent?<\/h2>\r\n

Informed consent is a medical procedure that guarantees respect for the patient\u2019s autonomy, allowing them to make decisions about their medical care. It is a legal right of the patient and an obligation for healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, anaesthetists, etc.).<\/p>\r\n

When is informed consent required?<\/h3>\r\n

Informed consent is not always required. For simple procedures, such as a physical examination of the patient, consent may be implied and tacit. However, for invasive procedures<\/strong>, those involving significant risk<\/strong>, or those where alternatives are available<\/strong>, written consent must be obtained.<\/p>\r\n

This document is an obligation for healthcare providers<\/strong> (doctors, nurses, anaesthetists, etc.) and a legal right of the patient<\/strong>, ensuring they understand the risks and options before making a decision. Therefore, informed consent requires at least two signatures<\/strong>: that of the patient and that of the healthcare professional (depending on the number of professionals involved, one or more people must sign).<\/p>\r\n

What requirements must informed consent meet?<\/h3>\r\n

In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), for informed consent to be considered as such, it must meet four requirements<\/strong>:<\/p>\r\n