British Council Consent Form – Everyone should have the ability to make informed decisions regarding their health. The medical procedures can be invasive, so patients should be able, in the end, to decide in light of known risks that their bodies should be treated. Therefore, before medical workers are permitted to treat patients, they must obtain the process of informed consent.
Informed consent , a requirement in law is the requirement under which a patient has been informed of his or her physical state and the treatment suggested by the physician in charge. After receiving this information the patient must give the doctor their consent to treat before any form of treatment can be offered. Without informed consent from the patient health care professional is not permitted to offer treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In some instances patients lack the capacity to comprehend their treatment options , as well as the benefits and risks associated with each. In some instances, patients may not be able communicate their decision to health workers. Under these circumstances the patient is said to lack the necessary capacity to make decisions. The family member, or court appointed representative can provide informed consent instead.
Patients that are strongly influenced by their emotions, like anxiety or fear, as an example – may be determined as not able to make decisions. The patients who are unconscious cannot make decisions on alone, and external parties have to give consent for treatment instead.
Items in an British Council Consent Form
Certain elements are generally included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical conditions/diagnosis
The procedure recommended by the physician in charge
The risks and benefits associated with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments are also offered, as are their potential risks and benefits
The benefits and risks associated with accepting no treatment whatsoever
The items should not only be documented in a written document They must also been discussed by the patient. This way, he or she will fully understand the particulars of the case and will be able to get immediate answers to any questions that may have arisen.