Consent For Medical Treatment Of A Minor Form – Every person should be able to make informed choices about their medical care. Medical treatments can be quite risky, therefore patients should be able to decide the risks that are known to be present of their body, how it will be treated. Thus, before medical personnel are allowed to treat patients, they must receive the process of informed consent.
The informed consent requirement is legal condition in which patients are provided with a full and complete description of the physical condition and the treatment recommended by the treating physician. After receiving this information the patient has to provide the physician with consent to treat before any form of treatment is administered. Without the patient’s informed consent, a health care provider cannot provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In some cases patients lack the ability to comprehend their options in terms of treatment and the risks/benefits associated with each one. In some instances, patients may not be able to explain their decisions to health workers. When this occurs, the patient is said to lack the appropriate capacity for decision-making. An individual from the family or court appointed representative could then be able to give informed consent in lieu of the patient.
Patients who are heavily influenced by their emotions – such as anxiety or fear, for example could be classified as lacking the ability to make decisions. People who are not conscious cannot make decisions on independently, and other people must provide consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Consent For Medical Treatment Of A Minor Form
There are certain elements that are included on all informed consent forms:
The diagnosis or medical condition of the patient.
The procedure recommended by the acting physician
The risks and benefits that come with this procedure
There are alternative treatments available, along with their risks and benefits
The potential risks and rewards of refusing treatment at all
These details must not only be recorded in the documentation however, they must discuss the situation with patients. This way, he can fully comprehend the details of the situation and get straight answers to any questions that be arising.