Consent Agreement Form – Everybody should be able to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare. Medical treatments can be injurious, and patients must be able to decide according to the known risks of their body, how it will be treated. Thus, before medical professionals are permitted to be able to treat their patients, they must obtain what is known as informed consent.
Informed consent constitutes a lawful condition that requires that a patient be provided with specific information regarding the condition of their body and the recommended treatment by the acting physician. Once this information is received patients must provide the physician with consent to treat before any form of care is provided. Without informed consent from the patient, a health care provider cannot offer treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain instances patients don’t have the knowledge to fully comprehend their treatment options , as well as the risks/benefits associated with each. In other instances, patients may not be able to effectively explain their decisions to health professionals. In such situations the patient is said to lack the necessary capacity for decision-making. If a family member is not present, or court appointed representative then, is allowed to perform informed consent instead.
Patients who are greatly influenced by their emotions – such as anxiety or fear, as an example could be classified as not able to make decisions. People who are not conscious are unable to make decisions on their own. Therefore, outside parties have to give consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Consent Agreement Form
Certain elements are commonly included in informed consent forms:
The diagnosis or medical condition of the patient.
The procedure recommended by the medical professional in charge
The benefits and risks associated with this treatment
Alternative treatments are also available, as well as their risks and benefits
The dangers and advantages of refusing treatment at all
The items should not only be recorded in the documentation However, they should also communicated with the person receiving the treatment. So, he is able to fully comprehend all the details of the scenario and get straight answers to any questions that may arise.