Declaration Of Consent Form – Everyone should be able to make educated decisions about their health. Treatments for medical conditions can be invasive, so patients should be able to ultimately determine according to the known risks and the way their bodies will be treated. In order to ensure that medical professionals are allowed to be able to treat their patients, they need to receive the process of informed consent.
Informed consent constitutes a lawful requirement where a patient is provided with specific information regarding the physical condition and the recommended treatment by the physician who is acting as the patient’s physician. After receiving this information the patient is required to provide the physician with consent to treat before any form of treatment is delivered. Without the patient’s informed consent any health professional is not allowed to provide treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain instances patients may not have the ability to comprehend the options for treatment and the benefits and risks associated with each. In other circumstances patients may not be able communicate their choices to health workers. In these situations patients are said to lack the necessary capacity to make decisions. An individual from the family or court-appointed representative, can make informed consent on behalf of the patient.
Patients who are strongly affected by their emotions, such as anxiety or fear, for instance could be classified as not having the capacity for decision-making. Those who are unconscious clearly can’t make decisions on own, and outside parties are required to obtain consent instead.
Items in an Declaration Of Consent Form
Certain elements are included on all informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition/diagnosis
The treatment suggested by the physician who is acting
The benefits and risks associated with this treatment
Alternative treatments are readily available, along with their risks and benefits
The dangers and advantages with accepting no treatment at all
The items should not only be detailed in documentation They must also have a discussion with the patient. So, he is able to fully comprehend the specifics of the situation and get straight answers to any issues that may arise.