Atip Consent Form – Everyone should have the ability to make informed decisions regarding their medical care. The medical procedures can be injurious, and patients must be able to decide in light of known risks as well as their own personal preferences, how they will be treated. In order to ensure that medical professionals can administer treatments to patients, they must obtain what is known as informed consent.
Informed consent , a requirement in law is the condition under which a patient is informed of his or her physical health and the recommended treatment by the physician in charge. Once this information is received patients must provide the physician with consent to treat prior to any form of care is provided. Without the patient’s informed consent the health professional cannot provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain situations, patients do not possess the skills to comprehend their treatment options and the risks/benefits associated with each one. In other situations patients might not be able communicate their decision to health care professionals. Under these circumstances the patient is considered to lack the appropriate capacity to make decisions. If a family member is not present, or court-appointed representative could then be able to perform informed consent instead.
Patients who are strongly affected by their emotions – anxiety or fear, for example are deemed not having the capacity to make decisions. The patients who are unconscious cannot take decisions on their own, and outside parties need to consent to treatment instead.
Items in an Atip Consent Form
Certain elements are included on all informed consent forms:
The diagnosis or medical condition of the patient.
The treatment suggested by the acting physician
The risks and the benefits associated with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments are available, along with their benefits and risks
The dangers and advantages with not accepting any treatment whatsoever
The items should not only be recorded in the patient’s medical records however, they must been discussed by the patient. In this way, he or she will fully understand all the details of the scenario and get straight answers to any issues that may arise.