Affidavit Of Support And Consent Form – Everybody should be able to make informed decisions regarding their medical care. Treatments for medical conditions can be invasive, so patients should be able to decide according to the known risks and the way their bodies will be treated. Therefore, before medical workers are permitted to be able to treat their patients, they need to receive the process of informed consent.
Informed consent , a requirement in law is the condition under which a patient is given a complete and accurate description of the physical condition and the treatment recommended by the physician who is acting as the patient’s physician. After receiving this information the patient must be able to give the physician their consent to treat before any form of treatment can be delivered. Without the patient’s informed consent, a health care provider cannot offer treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In some instances patients lack the skills to comprehend their options regarding treatment, and the benefits and risks associated with each. In other instances patients might not be able to effectively communicate their decisions to the health professionals. In these situations, the patient is said to lack the appropriate decision making capacity. An individual from the family or court appointed representative could then be able to perform informed consent instead.
Patients that are strongly influenced by their emotions, such as anxiety or fear, for instance they could be judged as not possessing decision making capacity. Patients who are in the state of unconscious cannot take decisions on their independent of themselves, so outsiders must provide consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Affidavit Of Support And Consent Form
Certain elements are included on all informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical diagnosis/condition
The treatment suggested by the medical professional in charge
The risks and benefits that come with this procedure
Alternative treatments are available, as well as their potential risks and benefits
The dangers and advantages with refusing any treatment whatsoever
These items must not only be recorded in the patient’s medical records But they also need to be discussed with the patient. In this way, he or can be fully aware of all the details of the scenario and can get direct answers to any concerns that might be arising.