Service Consent Form – Every person should be able to make informed decisions about their medical care. Medical treatments can be invasive, so patients should be able decide in light of known risks as well as their own personal preferences, how they will be treated. So, before medical professionals are allowed to operate on patients, they must obtain the so-called informed consent.
The informed consent requirement is legal requirement under which a patient is given a complete and accurate description of his or her physical health and the treatment recommended by the doctor in charge. Once this information is received the patient has to sign a consent form with the doctor to treat prior to any form of treatment is given. Without the patient’s informed consent, a health care provider cannot provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain situations patients don’t have the capabilities to fully understand their treatment options , as well as the risks/benefits of each one. In other instances patients may not be able to effectively communicate their decisions to the health professionals. In such situations patients are said to not possess adequate decision making capacity. The family member, or court-appointed representative could then be able to provide informed consent instead.
Patients who are heavily influenced by their emotions – anxiety or fear, for instance can be deemed to lacking the ability to make decisions. People who are not conscious can’t make decisions on own, and outside parties must provide consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Service Consent Form
There are certain elements that are included on all informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition or diagnosis
The treatment recommended by the physician in charge
The risks and benefits that come with this method of treatment
There are alternative treatments available, along with their risks and benefits
The risks and benefits that come of refusing treatment whatsoever
The items should not only be recorded in the documentation However, they should also been discussed by the patient. This way, he or can fully comprehend all the details of the scenario and receive direct responses to any concerns that might be arising.