Army Parental Consent Form – Everybody should be able to make informed choices about their medical care. Medical procedures can be invasive, so patients should be able decide from the facts about risks and the way their bodies will be treated. Thus, before medical professionals are allowed to provide treatment to patients they must obtain the so-called informed consent.
Informed consent is a legal requirement where a patient is informed of his or her physical state and the recommended treatment by the physician who is acting as the patient’s physician. After receiving this information patients must offer the physician consent to treat prior to any form or treatment can be administered. Without the patient’s informed consent, a health care provider cannot provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In some instances the patients aren’t equipped with the capabilities to fully understand their options in terms of treatment and the benefits and risks associated with each one. In some instances patients may not be able to communicate their decisions to the health professionals. If this happens it is believed that the patient not to possess the proper capacity to make decisions. The family member, or court-appointed representative in this case, can take over informed consent.
Patients who are heavily influenced by their emotions, like anxiety or fear, for example can be deemed to not able to make decisions. Those who are unconscious clearly cannot make decisions on alone, and external parties must provide consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Army Parental Consent Form
There are certain elements that are included on all informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical diagnosis/condition
The treatment recommended by the acting physician
The risks and benefits that come with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments are available, as well as their potential risks and benefits
The risks and benefits associated with refusing any treatment whatsoever
Not only should these details be documented in a written document However, they should also be discussed with the patient. So, he she will fully understand the details of the situation and can get direct answers to any concerns that might have arisen.