Bmj Consent Form Case Report – Every person should be able to make informed decisions about their health. Medical treatments can be sensitive, so patients must be able, in the end, to decide in light of known risks that their bodies should be treated. Thus, before medical personnel can treat patients, they have to obtain the so-called informed consent.
A patient’s informed consent can be a legally binding condition that requires that a patient be informed of the condition of their body and the recommended treatment by the doctor in charge. After receiving this information patients must sign a consent form with the doctor to treat before any form of care is provided. Without the patient’s informed consent any health professional cannot offer treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In some cases patients may not have the capacity to comprehend their options regarding treatment, and the risks and benefits that come with each. In other cases patients might not be able to effectively convey their preferences to health workers. In these situations the patient is considered not to possess the proper capacity for decision-making. An individual from the family or court-appointed representative in this case, can provide informed consent instead.
Patients who are greatly influenced by their emotions, like anxiety or fear, for example could be classified as not having the capacity to make decisions. Those who are unconscious clearly can’t make decisions on own. Therefore, outside parties must provide consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Bmj Consent Form Case Report
There are certain elements that are commonly included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition/diagnosis
The treatment suggested by the acting physician
The risks and benefits associated with this treatment
Alternative treatments are readily offered, as are their risks and benefits
The risks and benefits that come with not accepting any treatment at all
Not only should these details be recorded in the documentation, but they must also be discussed with the patient. In this way, he or will be able to comprehend the details of the situation and will be able to get immediate answers to any questions that may arise.