Depo Consent Form – Everybody should be able to make informed decisions regarding their medical care. Medical treatments can be quite risky, therefore patients should be able to determine in light of known risks as well as their own personal preferences, how they will be treated. In order to ensure that medical professionals are permitted to provide treatment to patients they must obtain the so-called informed consent.
Informed consent constitutes a lawful condition in which patients are provided with detailed information about the condition of their body as well as the treatment that is recommended by the physician in charge. After receiving this information the patient is required to provide the physician with consent to treat before any form of care is administered. Without the patient’s informed consent health care professional cannot provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain instances, patients do not possess the capacity to comprehend their treatment options and the risks and benefits that come with each. In some instances patients might not be able to effectively communicate their decisions to the health professionals. In such situations it is believed that the patient not to possess the proper decision making capacity. If a family member is not present, or court-appointed representative could then be able to make informed consent on behalf of the patient.
Patients that are strongly influenced by their emotions, like anxiety or fear, for instance they could be judged as not able to make decisions. Patients who are in the state of unconscious cannot make decisions on alone, and external parties require consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Depo Consent Form
There are certain elements that are common to all consent forms:
The patient’s medical diagnosis/condition
The treatment that is recommended by the physician in charge
The benefits and risks associated with this procedure
Alternative treatments are available, as well as their benefits and risks
The risks and benefits associated with accepting no treatment at all
The items should not only be recorded in the documentation however, they must have a discussion with the patient. So, he can be fully aware of what is happening and can get direct answers to any questions that be arising.