Consent And Debriefing Forms – Every person should be able to make educated decisions about their health. The medical procedures can be risky, therefore patients should be able to decide the risks that are known to be present as well as their own personal preferences, how they will be treated. Thus, before medical personnel are permitted to provide treatment to patients they must be given the process of informed consent.
A patient’s informed consent can be a legally binding requirement under which a patient is provided with detailed information about his or her physical condition and the treatment suggested by the physician in charge. After receiving this information patients must offer the physician consent to treat prior to any form of treatment can be administered. Without informed consent from the patient health care professional cannot offer treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain situations patients lack the capacity to comprehend their options in terms of treatment and the risks/benefits associated with each. In other circumstances patients might not be able to communicate their choices to health professionals. If this happens patients are said to lack the necessary capacity for decision-making. Family members or a court-appointed representative can provide informed consent instead.
Patients who are greatly influenced by their emotions, like anxiety or fear, for example they could be judged as lacking the ability to make decisions. The ones who are asleep clearly cannot make decisions on independently, and other people have to give consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Consent And Debriefing Forms
There are certain elements that are included on all informed consent forms:
The diagnosis or medical condition of the patient.
The procedure recommended by the physician who is acting
The risks and the benefits associated with this treatment
Alternative treatments are readily available, as well as their risks and benefits
The risks and benefits associated with refusing treatment whatsoever
Not only should these details be documented in a written document But they also need to discuss the situation with patients. This way, he can fully comprehend the details of the situation and will be able to get immediate answers to any issues that may be arising.