Body Donation Consent Form – Everyone should have the ability to make educated decisions about their medical care. Treatments for medical conditions can be risky, therefore patients should be able, in the end, to decide from the facts about risks, how their bodies will be treated. Thus, before medical personnel can provide treatment to patients they need to receive the so-called informed consent.
A patient’s informed consent can be a legally binding condition under which a patient is given a complete and accurate description of his or her physical state as well as the treatment that is recommended by the physician who is acting as the patient’s physician. After receiving this information, the patient must be able to give the physician their consent to treat prior to any form or treatment can be offered. Without informed consent from the patient any health professional is not permitted to offer treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In some instances, patients do not possess the capabilities to fully understand the options for treatment and the risks and benefits that come with each. In some instances patients may not be able to communicate their choices to health professionals. If this happens, the patient is said not to have adequate capacity to make decisions. Family members or a court appointed representative could then be able to make informed consent on behalf of the patient.
Patients that are strongly influenced by their emotions – anxiety or fear for instance can be deemed to not having the capacity for decision-making. Those who are unconscious clearly cannot make decisions on their independently, and other people require consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Body Donation Consent Form
There are certain elements that are generally included in informed 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 offered, as are their benefits and risks
The dangers and advantages with refusing treatment whatsoever
Not only must these items be recorded in the patient’s medical records however, they must communicated with the person receiving the treatment. This way, he or can be fully aware of the specifics of the situation and get straight answers to any concerns that might arise.
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