Sad, Sad State of Medical Informed Consent

This photograph "After a Flash Flood, Rancho Mirage" could be a great metaphor for the state of informed consent. 



 We have lofty, fancy principles that are well-articulated in ethics and in law.  These principles are like the calm and settled state of the car parked by the suburban house.  But very close by, is how informed consent really works. This is like the car that has overturned and fallen into the sinkhole.  The contrast is sharp.