Beneficiary Consent Form – Everyone should have the ability to make educated decisions about their medical care. Treatments for medical conditions can be invasive, so patients should be able to decide in light of known risks of their body, how it will be treated. In order to ensure that medical professionals can treat patients, they must obtain what is known as informed consent.
The informed consent requirement is legal condition under which a patient has been provided with specific information regarding his or her physical condition and the recommended treatment by the physician in charge. After receiving this information the patient has to give the doctor their consent to treat prior to any form of care is delivered. Without informed consent from the patient the health professional cannot provide treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain situations patients lack the capacity to comprehend their treatment options and the potential risks and benefits associated with each. In some instances, patients may not be able to explain their decisions to health professionals. In these situations, the patient is said to not possess adequate decision making capacity. A family member or court appointed representative can give informed consent in lieu of the patient.
Patients who are strongly affected by their emotions – such as anxiety or fear, as an example could be classified as lacking the ability to make decisions. The ones who are asleep clearly can’t make decisions on alone, and external parties must provide consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Beneficiary Consent Form
Certain elements are included on all informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition/diagnosis
The treatment suggested by the acting physician
The risks and advantages associated with this treatment
Alternative treatments are offered, as are their benefits and risks
The risks and benefits associated with refusing any treatment whatsoever
The items should not only be recorded in the patient’s medical records however, they must be discussed with the patient. In this way, he or will be able to comprehend all the details of the scenario and will be able to get immediate answers to any issues that may arise.