Consent Form 3 – Everyone should be able to make informed decisions regarding their medical care. The medical procedures can be risky, therefore patients should be able, in the end, to decide from the facts about risks, how their bodies will be treated. So, before medical professionals are permitted to administer treatments to patients, they must obtain the process of informed consent.
Informed consent , a requirement in law is the condition under which a patient has been provided with detailed information about the condition of their body and the recommended treatment by the doctor in charge. Once this information is received patients must sign a consent form with the doctor to treat before any form of treatment can be given. Without the patient’s informed consent health care professional is not permitted to offer treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In some instances patients lack the capabilities to fully understand their options regarding treatment, and the risks/benefits of each one. In other instances patients may not be able explain their decisions to health workers. In such situations, the patient is said not to have adequate decision making capacity. Family members or a court appointed representative then, is allowed to take over informed consent.
Patients who are heavily influenced by their emotions – such as anxiety or fear, as an example could be classified as lacking the ability to make decisions. People who are not conscious are unable to make decisions on their own, and outside parties need to consent to treatment instead.
Items in an Consent Form 3
There are certain elements that are generally included in informed consent forms:
The diagnosis or medical condition of the patient.
The treatment that is recommended by the medical professional in charge
The benefits and risks associated with this treatment
Alternative treatments are also available, along with their risks and benefits
The potential risks and rewards of refusing treatment at all
These items must not only be detailed in documentation They must also communicated with the person receiving the treatment. This way, he or can fully comprehend all the details of the scenario and can get direct answers to any questions that may arise.