Passive Consent Form – Everyone should have the ability to make informed choices about their health. Medical treatments can be risky, therefore patients should be able to decide according to the known risks as well as their own personal preferences, how they will be treated. So, before medical professionals are allowed to treat patients, they must be given what is known as informed consent.
Informed consent , a requirement in law is the condition under which a patient has been provided with a full and complete description of the condition of their body and the treatment recommended by the physician who is acting as the patient’s physician. Once this information is received the patient has to provide the physician with consent to treat before any form or treatment can be administered. Without informed consent from the patient any health professional is not permitted to provide treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In some cases patients lack the knowledge to fully comprehend their options in terms of treatment and the risks/benefits of each. In other circumstances patients might not be able to effectively convey their preferences to health care professionals. If this happens patients are said to lack the necessary capacity to make decisions. Family members or a court-appointed representative then, is allowed to make informed consent on behalf of the patient.
Patients who are greatly influenced by their emotions – such as anxiety or fear, for instance can be deemed to not possessing decision making capacity. Those who are unconscious clearly cannot take decisions on their independently, and other people require consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Passive Consent Form
There are certain elements that are commonly included in informed consent forms:
The diagnosis or medical condition of the patient.
The recommended treatment is suggested by the medical professional in charge
The benefits and risks associated with this treatment
Alternative treatments are readily available, along with their risks and benefits
The dangers and advantages with refusing treatment at all
The items should not only be recorded in the patient’s medical records They must also discuss the situation with patients. So, he she will fully understand the details of the situation and will receive immediate responses to any queries that might arise.