The authors summarize the results of sociological research into the practice of informed consent in Czech hospitals. The bulk of their study comes from one top-ranking hospital in Prague. A short overview of healthcare institutions from a sociological point of view is presented in the introduction. The problém of incorporating informed consent into the routine of the hospital is then tackled, including what information is actually required from the patient by the medical staff and what role informed consent plays in the rela-tionship between physician and patient. As to the expectations of both, patients seek reassurance more than information itself and physicians expect some legal protection and better co-operation with patients.

        Key words: Informed consent; research eťhics; qualitative research; sociological research.