Social Work Informed Consent Form Example – Everyone should have the ability to make informed decisions regarding their medical care. The medical procedures can be risky, therefore patients should be able to ultimately determine from the facts about risks, how their bodies will be treated. Thus, before medical professionals are allowed to treat patients, they must obtain what is known as informed consent.
Informed consent , a requirement in law is the requirement where a patient is informed of the physical condition and the treatment suggested by the physician who is acting as the patient’s physician. Once this information is received the patient has to give the doctor their consent to treat before any form of care is provided. Without informed consent from the patient an health care professional is not allowed to provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain situations patients lack the ability to comprehend their options regarding treatment, and the potential risks and benefits associated with each. In other circumstances, patients may not be able to effectively communicate their decisions to the health workers. If this happens, the patient is said to lack the appropriate decision making capacity. Family members or a court appointed representative then, is allowed to take over informed consent.
Patients that are strongly influenced by their emotions such as anxiety or fear, as an example they could be judged as not having the capacity for decision-making. Those who are unconscious clearly cannot make decisions on their alone, and external parties need to consent to treatment instead.
Items in an Social Work Informed Consent Form Example
Certain elements are commonly included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical diagnosis/condition
The treatment recommended by the physician in charge
The benefits and risks associated with this treatment
Alternative treatments are readily available, as well as their risks and benefits
The risks and benefits that come with refusing any treatment whatsoever
Not only must these items be recorded in the patient’s medical records however, they must have a discussion with the patient. So, he will be able to comprehend the details of the situation and get straight answers to any issues that may have arisen.
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