Relationship Consent Form – Every person should be able to make informed decisions regarding their health. Medical treatments can be risky, therefore patients should be able to determine in light of known risks, how their bodies will be treated. So, before medical professionals can operate on patients, they must be given what is known as informed consent.
Informed consent constitutes a lawful condition under which a patient is provided with a full and complete description of his or her physical health and the treatment suggested by the doctor in charge. Once this information is received, the patient must offer the physician consent to treat before any form of care can be provided. Without the patient’s informed consent the health professional cannot offer treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In some cases patients lack the capabilities to fully understand the options for treatment and the potential risks and benefits associated with each one. In other circumstances patients may not be able to explain their decisions to health professionals. In such situations patients are said to lack the appropriate capacity for decision-making. A family member or court-appointed representative will then be permitted to provide informed consent instead.
Patients who are heavily influenced by their emotions such as anxiety or fear, for example they could be judged as not having the capacity to make decisions. The patients who are unconscious cannot make decisions on independent of themselves, so outsiders have to give consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Relationship Consent Form
Certain elements are commonly included in informed consent forms:
The diagnosis or medical condition of the patient.
The recommended treatment is suggested by the acting physician
The risks and benefits associated with this procedure
Alternative treatments are available, as well as their benefits and risks
The potential risks and rewards with accepting no treatment at all
Not only must these items be recorded in the patient’s medical records However, they should also been discussed by the patient. This way, he or can fully comprehend the details of the situation and can get direct answers to any questions that may be arising.