Church Consent Form – Every person should be able to make informed decisions regarding their health. The medical procedures can be risky, therefore patients should be able to determine according to the known risks and the way their bodies will be treated. Therefore, before medical workers are permitted to provide treatment to patients they must obtain the so-called informed consent.
The informed consent requirement is legal condition under which a patient is provided with specific information regarding the condition of their body and the treatment suggested by the physician who is acting as the patient’s physician. Once this information is received patients must offer the physician consent to treat before any form of treatment is delivered. Without the patient’s informed consent any health professional cannot provide treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In some instances patients don’t have the knowledge to fully comprehend their options in terms of treatment and the risks/benefits of each one. In other instances patients might not be able to effectively convey their preferences to health workers. In these situations, the patient is said not to possess the proper capacity to make decisions. A family member or court appointed representative then, is allowed to give informed consent in lieu of the patient.
Patients that are strongly influenced by their emotions, like anxiety or fear, for instance can be deemed to not possessing decision making capacity. The patients who are unconscious can’t make decisions on alone, and external parties need to consent to treatment instead.
Items in an Church Consent Form
There are certain elements that are universally included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical conditions/diagnosis
The treatment suggested by the doctor in charge
The benefits and risks associated with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments are offered, as are their benefits and risks
The benefits and risks associated with not accepting any treatment at all
Not only must these items be recorded in the patient’s medical records, but they must also be discussed with the patient. This way, he can fully comprehend what is happening and will be able to get immediate answers to any questions that may arise.