What Is a Surgical Consent Form, and Can I Get a Translated Copy? (2026 Guide)

A surgical or procedural consent form is a legally required document in which patients are informed of the treatment method, expected benefits, possible complications, and alternatives before signing. For patients who are not fluent in Korean, an interpreter explains the form sentence by sentence before the signature is given, and translations into languages other than English are available on request.

Key Takeaways

• Medical procedures legally require an explanation and consent process, and patients have the right to understand the content before signing anything.
• The standard practice is for an interpreter to explain the form sentence by sentence before signing, and if any part is unclear, you may delay signing until it is resolved.
• Consent forms come in several types: general treatment/examination consent, surgical/procedural consent, anesthesia consent, blood transfusion consent, personal information consent, and cost-liability consent.
• You can request a copy of any form you sign for your own records, and translations into languages other than English can be provided upon request.

What types of consent forms are there?

• Documents signed during the course of treatment vary depending on their purpose. The general treatment and examination consent form explains what tests will be done and why, while the surgical/procedural consent form is the most important document, covering the method, expected benefits, possible complications, and alternatives.
• The anesthesia consent form explains the anesthesia method and its risks, and the blood transfusion consent form explains the necessity and risks of transfusion. If you do not wish to receive a blood transfusion for religious reasons, you must state this in advance — ideally during the remote review (pre-arrival review) stage.
• In addition, the personal information collection/use and medical record disclosure consent form specifies the scope in which your records are shared with medical staff, coordinators, and interpreters, while the cost-liability and payment consent form covers deposits, settlement methods, and cancellation policies. A separate clinical trial participation consent form is only required if you are enrolling in a clinical trial.

How does the interpreter's explanation work before signing?

• All consent forms are processed with the interpreter explaining each sentence before you sign, to ensure your right to understand the content beforehand.
• Step 1: The interpreter explains each sentence of the consent form in the patient's own language.
• Step 2: If any part is unclear, you may ask questions or delay signing.
• Step 3: You sign only once you have fully understood the explanation.
• Step 4: Request a copy of the signed form to keep for your own records.
• This process exists to prevent patients from signing without understanding, so it is best to raise any questions on the spot.

Can I get a translation in a language other than English?

• Hospital documents, including consent forms, are issued in English by default. If you need a language other than English, a separate translation can be requested.
• English-language documents are issued through the international patient center and may take several days to process, so it is advisable to request them well in advance of your surgery or return-flight schedule.
• The actual content of the consent form (treatment method, risks, alternatives) must always be reconfirmed directly with your medical team before signing. A translated copy is a reference aid for understanding only and does not replace the medical team's explanation.

FAQ — Could I end up signing a consent form without understanding it?

This is specifically designed not to happen. The interpreter explains the form sentence by sentence before you sign, and if anything is unclear, you can delay signing. You may also request a copy of the signed document to keep.

FAQ — How far is my medical record shared?

For the purposes of review and treatment, your record is shared with medical staff, your assigned coordinator, and interpreters. The scope of sharing and the retention period are specified in the personal information collection/use and medical record disclosure consent form, so be sure to check this before signing and mention in advance if there is anything you do not wish to have shared.

Sources and notes

• This article was written based on notes on insurance and documentation, the treatment journey, and remote review (source: Ministry of Health and Welfare mohw.go.kr, Medical Korea medicalkorea.or.kr, HiKorea hikorea.go.kr).
• This content is intended for general medical information purposes only. Diagnosis, treatment methods, and outcomes may vary depending on individual conditions. Please consult your medical team for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.