Between Ethical Dialogue and Procedural Compliance: Greek Physicians’ Perspectives on Informed Consent and Sensitive Health Data

This qualitative study explored perspectives on informed consent and sensitive health data among physicians recruited through the Medical Association of Rhodes.Ten physicians from varied specialities, places in Greece, and career stages participated in semi-structured interviews analysed thematically.Four themes described consent as ethical dialogue versus procedural documentation, communication and organisational barriers to patient understanding, uneven legal and ethical competence, and fragmented data governance alongside cautious optimism about digital tools.Meaningful consent depended on comprehensible communication, voluntary choice, protected consultation time, professional education, adaptable procedures, and secure data governance.The findings support institutionally coordinated practices that integrate patient autonomy, clinical relationships, and data protection within routine care.