Which case established that the information about a surgical procedure must be provided by the surgeon performing the procedure?

• A. Canterbury v Spence
• B. Natanson v Kline
• C. Shinal v Toms
• D. Cobbs v Grant

Answer: (C)

The key idea is informed consent and who is responsible for giving the patient the information needed to decide about a procedure. The case in question holds that the surgeon who will perform the operation has the duty to provide the information about the procedure, including its risks, benefits, and alternatives, so the patient can make an informed decision. This reflects the trust and reliance a patient places in the physician actually carrying out the surgery and ensures the disclosure is tailored to the specific procedure the patient faces.

Why this case fits best: it directly addresses who bears the responsibility for communicating details about the surgical act. By placing that duty on the operating surgeon, the law ties the disclosure to the person most knowledgeable about the procedure and most capable of discussing its real-world risks and outcomes. While other cases advance standards of what must be disclosed (for example, professional versus reasonable-person standards for disclosure), they don’t specify that the performing surgeon is the one who must provide the information.