Background Consent Form – Everybody should be able to make informed decisions about their health. Treatments for medical conditions can be invasive, so patients should be able to decide the risks that are known to be present as well as their own personal preferences, how they will be treated. In order to ensure that medical professionals are permitted to operate on patients, they need to receive what is known as informed consent.
Informed consent is a legal condition under which a patient is provided with detailed information about the physical condition and the treatment recommended by the acting physician. After receiving this information the patient is required to give the doctor their consent to treat before any form of care is provided. Without the patient’s informed consent, a health care provider cannot offer treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain situations patients may not have the skills to comprehend their treatment options , as well as the risks and benefits that come with each one. In other instances patients might not be able to convey their preferences to health professionals. In such situations the patient is said to not possess adequate capacity for decision-making. An individual from the family 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 can be deemed to not able to make decisions. People who are not conscious can’t make decisions on independently, and other people are required to obtain consent instead.
Items in an Background Consent Form
Certain elements are common to all consent forms:
The diagnosis or medical condition of the patient.
The treatment suggested by the physician who is acting
The risks and benefits that come with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments are also available, as well as their potential risks and benefits
The risks and benefits associated of refusing treatment at all
Not only should these details be detailed in documentation, but they must also discuss the situation with patients. This way, he or can fully comprehend the details of the situation and can get direct answers to any concerns that might have arisen.