Electronic Signature Consent Form Template – Everybody should be able to make informed decisions about their health. Medical procedures can be injurious, and patients must be able decide according to the known risks that their bodies should be treated. Thus, before medical professionals are permitted to be able to treat their patients, they must obtain the so-called informed consent.
A patient’s informed consent can be a legally binding condition in which patients are informed of his or her physical health and the recommended treatment by the physician who is acting as the patient’s physician. After receiving this information the patient is required to sign a consent form with the doctor to treat prior to any form or treatment can be delivered. Without the patient’s informed consent an health care professional cannot offer treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In some instances patients may not have the skills to comprehend their options in terms of treatment and the potential risks and benefits associated with each one. In other situations patients may not be able to convey their preferences to health care professionals. If this happens the patient is said not to have adequate decision making capacity. The family member, or court-appointed representative will then be permitted to provide informed consent instead.
Patients who are strongly affected 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 alone, and external parties must provide consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Electronic Signature Consent Form Template
There are certain elements that are common to all consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition/diagnosis
The treatment that is recommended by the doctor in charge
The risks and benefits that come with this procedure
Alternative treatments are readily available, as well as their potential risks and benefits
The benefits and risks associated with refusing treatment whatsoever
These items must not only be documented however, they must be discussed with the patient. In this way, he or can fully comprehend what is happening and get straight answers to any queries that might have arisen.