Planned Parenthood Consent Forms – Everybody should be able to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare. Medical treatments can be invasive, so patients should be able decide, based on known risks, how their bodies will be treated. Thus, before medical professionals can provide treatment to patients they must obtain what is known as informed consent.
Informed consent constitutes a lawful requirement where a patient is provided with specific information regarding his or her physical health and the recommended treatment by the acting physician. Once this information is received the patient has to give the doctor their consent to treat before any form of care can be given. Without the patient’s informed consent an health care professional is not permitted to offer treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In some cases patients may not have the knowledge to fully comprehend their options regarding treatment, and the risks/benefits of each. In some instances patients may not be able to effectively communicate their decision to health professionals. If this happens it is believed that the patient not to have adequate capacity to make decisions. A family member or court-appointed representative can take over informed consent.
Patients who are heavily influenced by their emotions, like anxiety or fear, for instance could be classified as not having the capacity for decision-making. The patients who are unconscious cannot make decisions on their independently, and other people need to consent to treatment instead.
Items in an Planned Parenthood Consent Forms
There are certain elements that are commonly included in informed consent forms:
The diagnosis or medical condition of the patient.
The treatment that is recommended by the physician who is acting
The benefits and risks associated with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments are readily offered, as are their benefits and risks
The dangers and advantages with accepting no treatment whatsoever
Not only should these details be documented in a written document however, they must been discussed by the patient. This way, he will be able to comprehend what is happening and receive direct responses to any queries that might have arisen.