Therapeutic misconception is a term used in medical ethics to describe the situation where research subjects fail to understand the primary purpose of a clinical trial and instead view it as a treatment for their personal illness. This can occur when participants do not fully comprehend the difference between standard medical care and experimental treatments, and they may believe that the experimental treatment is specifically tailored to their needs or that it has greater benefits than it actually does.

Therapeutic misconception can lead to participants making uninformed decisions about participating in clinical trials, potentially compromising their ability to provide informed consent. It can also result in unrealistic expectations and disappointment if the experimental treatment is not as effective as they hoped. Therefore, it is essential for researchers to ensure that potential trial participants fully understand the nature of the study and the distinction between therapeutic and research objectives before obtaining their informed consent.

Informed consent is a process in medical care where patients are provided with all relevant information about their health status, proposed treatments, potential risks and benefits, and alternative options. This allows patients to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare and understand the consequences of their choices. The process includes ensuring that the patient has adequate mental capacity to make such decisions, is fully aware of the implications, and gives their voluntary agreement for the proposed treatment or procedure. It's a fundamental principle in medical ethics and is required by law in many jurisdictions to protect patients' rights.