Ethical and legal authorities generally agree that health care practitioners are obligated to ensure, at a minimum, that patients understand Their current medical status, including its likely course if no treatment is pursued Potentially helpful treatments, including a description and explanation of potential risks, benefits, and burdens Usually, the practitioner's professional opinion as to the best alternative Uncertainties associated with each of these elements Practitioners should be clear about the prospects of recovery with treatment and, if treatment is successful, what life will be like afterward.