CONSENTED
A Doctor's Call to End Medical Violence and Reclaim Patient Autonomy
AVAILABLE NOW
Challenging Medical Violence. Reclaiming Patient Autonomy.
A provocative, deeply researched examination of medicine's troubled relationship with consent, exposing how centuries of medical traditions have normalized violations of patient autonomy and offering a path toward more humane healthcare.
“Consented can offer hope to patients and providers alike.” — Aishu Amarnath, International Examiner
Have you ever felt that your voice didn't matter in the doctor's office? Have you ever wondered where the human being behind the white coat disappeared to? Medicine has a problem with consent. And it's not just a few bad doctors.
In Consented, Dr. Zed Zha diagnoses medicine with a systemic illness: medical rape culture—a set of beliefs and practices that normalize violations of patient autonomy. Drawing on more than 900 research sources, historical investigations, and personal stories, she exposes how medical harm became embedded in everyday practice. More than a critique of medicine, Consented is a call for patients to reclaim their voices and for healthcare professionals to rediscover their humanity.
BEYOND THE BOOK
The Stories Don't End on the Last Page.
Join me at Ask The Patient, where I share the stories behind the chart, the questions medicine rarely asks, and the human moments that don't make it into medical textbooks.
As a subscriber, you'll get new essays, opportunities to join the conversation, and occasional book-related extras, event invitations, and behind-the-scenes updates.
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Danielle Ofri, MD
“In a system where medical authorities routinely override individual agency, Consented exposes how clinical norms and medical culture dictate the experiences of the body and healthcare.”
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Arghavan Salles, MD, PhD
“An unflinching review . . . highlighting the many ways we fail ourselves and our patients, despite our best efforts.”
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Christine Gibson, MD
“A validating guide for patients and essential reading for every health professional, this book charts a clear path toward fair and just medicine.”
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James Withers, MD
“This book is many things—honest, raw, compelling, and courageous. Dr. Zed Zha delivers a heavy message with lighthearted clarity.”
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Zeest Khan, MD
“As physicians we learn to ignore fear, deny flaws, and push forward. This book challenges this, showing how unchecked behaviors harm both us and our patients.”
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Alyssa Burgart, MD, MA
“Dr. Zha calls out the dehumanizing and violent traditions of modern medicine and calls us into a healthcare revolution that begins with believing patients.”
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Robin Taylor
“Dr. Zha shows us how an approach to healthcare can be human-forward, remind[ing] us that empathy has an essential role in healthcare.”
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Disabled Ginger
“Dr Zha’s unique blend of humour, knowledge and compassion shine through in this book.”
