Army Consent Form – Every person should be able to make informed choices about their healthcare. Medical procedures can be invasive, so patients should be able, in the end, to decide in light of known risks as well as their own personal preferences, how they will be treated. So, before medical professionals can operate on patients, they need to receive what is known as informed consent.
Informed consent constitutes a lawful condition that requires that a patient be provided with detailed information about the condition of their body and the treatment suggested by the physician who is acting as the patient’s physician. Once this information is received the patient has to sign a consent form with the doctor to treat before any form or treatment can be delivered. Without informed consent from the patient health care professional cannot offer treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain situations, patients do not possess the skills to comprehend their treatment options and the risks/benefits of each. In other circumstances patients might not be able communicate their decisions to the health workers. In these situations, the patient is said not to have adequate decision making capacity. A family member or court-appointed representative will then be permitted to perform informed consent instead.
Patients who are heavily influenced by their emotions – such as anxiety or fear, for instance could be classified as not having the capacity for decision-making. People who are not conscious cannot take decisions on their independent of themselves, so outsiders require consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Army Consent Form
There are certain elements that are generally included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition or diagnosis
The recommended treatment is suggested by the doctor in charge
The risks and benefits that come with this treatment
Alternative treatments are also available, as well as their benefits and risks
The risks and benefits associated with refusing treatment whatsoever
These items must not only be documented, but they must also have a discussion with the patient. This way, he can fully comprehend the particulars of the case and get straight answers to any questions that arise.
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