True or False: Informed consent protects a chiropractor from being accused of assault and battery.

Informed consent is a fundamental ethical and legal principle in healthcare, including chiropractic care. This principle requires that a healthcare provider, such as a chiropractor, must communicate the nature of the treatment, its benefits, risks, and alternatives to the patient, allowing the patient to make an informed decision about their care.

When a chiropractor obtains informed consent from a patient, it serves as a protective measure against claims of assault and battery. Assault refers to the threat or attempt to inflict injury, while battery involves actual physical contact or harm. By ensuring that a patient understands and agrees to the treatment being administered, the chiropractor demonstrates that the patient has voluntarily consented to the procedure, thus reducing the likelihood of being accused of either assault or battery.

It is important to note that the validity and scope of informed consent can hinge on specific state laws that may further define or regulate the consent process. However, the general principle remains that informed consent is a crucial defense mechanism for chiropractors against claims related to unauthorized treatment.