Suostumusteksti

Suostumusteksti is the Finnish term for a consent text or consent form used to document an individual’s voluntary agreement to a described action after being informed about its purpose, procedures, risks, and alternatives. It serves as evidence of informed consent and is commonly required by law, ethics guidelines, or organizational policy in Finland and the European Union. A valid suostumusteksti should be freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous, and it may be provided in written, digital, or hybrid form.

Common contexts for suostumusteksti include healthcare and medical treatment, where patients consent to procedures or use of medical data or tissue samples; participation in clinical or social research, where researchers obtain consent from participants; and data processing under privacy regulations, where explicit consent may be required for handling personal data, especially when sensitive data is involved. It can also govern consent to publish or share identifiers, photographs, or other materials.

Typical content of a suostumusteksti includes the identity of the person or organization obtaining consent, the specific activity or data processing being approved, the purpose, potential risks and benefits, available alternatives, and the consequences of non-consent. It should outline the duration of the consent, how to withdraw it, and the contact information for questions. For minors or individuals unable to consent, a guardian’s consent (and sometimes assent from the person) is required.

Legally and ethically, consent must be voluntary, informed, and revocable. It is not a blanket authorization, and in some contexts it may be complemented by other requirements such as ethics review or professional standards.