Parental Consent Form For – Every person should be able to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare. The medical procedures can be injurious, and patients must be able, in the end, to decide according to the known risks as well as their own personal preferences, how they will be treated. Thus, before medical personnel are allowed to provide treatment to patients they have to obtain the so-called informed consent.
The informed consent requirement is legal requirement under which a patient has been provided with detailed information about his or her physical health as well as the treatment that is recommended by the treating physician. Once this information is received the patient must offer the physician consent to treat before any form or treatment can be delivered. Without informed consent from the patient the health professional cannot offer treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In some instances patients lack the capacity to comprehend their treatment options , as well as the risks/benefits associated with each one. In other circumstances patients may not be able to communicate their decisions to the health workers. In such situations the patient is considered to not possess adequate decision making capacity. An individual from the family or court-appointed representative in this case, can make informed consent on behalf of the patient.
Patients who are heavily influenced by their emotions – such as anxiety or fear for instance are deemed lacking the ability to make decisions. The patients who are unconscious cannot make decisions on their own, and outside parties must provide consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Parental Consent Form For
There are certain elements that are universally included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical diagnosis/condition
The procedure recommended by the doctor in charge
The risks and the benefits associated with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments are readily offered, as are their risks and benefits
The potential risks and rewards with refusing treatment whatsoever
These items must not only be detailed in documentation however, they must have a discussion with the patient. This way, he or will be able to comprehend what is happening and get straight answers to any queries that might be arising.