No, it is not ethical for an intern or any other medical professional to be present during a patient's procedure without their informed consent. Informed consent is a fundamental principle in medical ethics and is based on the idea that patients have the right to be fully informed about their medical care and have the autonomy to make decisions about their treatment.
Informed consent involves providing the patient with clear and understandable information about the proposed procedure, including its purpose, potential risks, benefits, and alternatives. Patients must also be informed about the qualifications of the medical professionals involved in their care, including whether medical students or interns will be present.
Patients have the right to accept or refuse the presence of medical students or interns during their procedures. If a patient is not comfortable with having an intern present, their wishes should be respected, and alternative arrangements should be made. In such cases, the patient's decision should not in any way affect the quality of care they receive.
Informed consent is a crucial aspect of patient-centered care and fosters trust between patients and their healthcare providers. It is the responsibility of healthcare professionals to ensure that patients are fully informed and actively involved in decisions about their medical care. Failure to obtain informed consent before involving an intern in a procedure would be a violation of the patient's rights and a breach of medical ethics.