Informed Consent Form In Clinical Research – Everyone should have the ability to make informed choices about their health. The medical procedures can be risky, therefore patients should be able to determine the risks that are known to be present that their bodies should be treated. In order to ensure that medical professionals can provide treatment to patients they must receive the so-called informed consent.
Informed consent , a requirement in law is the requirement under which a patient is provided with a full and complete description of his or her physical state and the treatment recommended by the doctor in charge. After receiving this information patients must sign a consent form with the doctor to treat prior to any form of treatment is provided. Without informed consent from the patient an health care professional cannot provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In some cases patients don’t have the capabilities to fully understand their treatment options , as well as the risks and benefits that come with each one. In other circumstances patients may not be able to effectively communicate their decision to health workers. In these situations the patient is said not to have adequate decision making capacity. Family members or a court-appointed representative, will then be permitted to perform informed consent instead.
Patients who are greatly influenced by their emotions, like anxiety or fear, for instance could be classified as not able to make decisions. Those who are unconscious clearly can’t make decisions on alone, and external parties require consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Informed Consent Form In Clinical Research
There are certain elements that are commonly included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition or diagnosis
The treatment recommended by the physician who is acting
The risks and benefits associated with this procedure
Alternative treatments are readily available, as well as their benefits and risks
The risks and benefits associated with refusing any treatment at all
The items should not only be documented in a written document They must also discuss the situation with patients. This way, he will be able to comprehend the details of the situation and get straight answers to any queries that might have arisen.