The rule of warning (Qa‘idat al-Tahdhir) and the obligation to provide information, as key principles of medical law, refer to the physician’s duty to offer complete and transparent information to patients regarding treatment methods, possible side effects, and potential risks. This enables patients to make informed decisions about their health and give informed consent during the treatment process. Failure to provide sufficient information may lead to the violation of patients’ rights and cause serious harm to their health. The rule of warning and the obligation to provide information function as legal tools for protecting patients’ rights.
This paper examines the role of the rule of warning and the obligation to provide information in the field of medical law within the Iranian legal system. The main research question is how the rule of warning can contribute to safeguarding patients’ rights and improving the quality of medical services. The primary aim of this study is to analyze the legal and ethical implications of this rule on the physician–patient relationship and to explore the legal responsibilities arising from its violation.
Using a descriptive–analytical research method, data have been collected from legal sources, medical law literature, and expert opinions. The findings indicate that non-compliance with the rule of warning may result in civil and criminal liability for physicians and the violation of patients’ rights. Furthermore, this rule serves as an essential mechanism for fostering trust between physicians and patients and ensuring informed consent in the treatment process. Overall, the significance of the rule of warning and the obligation to provide information is emphasized as one of the fundamental pillars of patient rights protection in the Iranian legal system.