'Incidental findings' during surgery : a surgical dilemma or the price paid for autonomy?

Examines the legal implications for medical personnel when they make unexpected findings that are not related to the surgery for which a patient has consented. Outlines the legal requirements for consent in criminal and common law, looking at cases in Canada that have dealt with incidental findings. Discusses NZ medical law and relevant cases that have arisen involving consent. Seeks to identify principles applicable to the issue, considers possible legal approaches, and make suggestions for law and policy that would need to be legally tested. Source: National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, licensed by the Department of Internal Affairs for re-use under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 New Zealand Licence.