Consent Form Apps – Everyone should have the ability to make informed decisions about their healthcare. Treatments for medical conditions can be risky, therefore patients should be able to decide from the facts about risks, how their bodies will be treated. Thus, before medical personnel are allowed to provide treatment to patients they must receive what is known as informed consent.
Informed consent constitutes a lawful requirement under which a patient is provided with specific information regarding his or her physical condition and the treatment recommended by the physician in charge. After receiving this information the patient has to offer the physician consent to treat prior to any form of treatment can be administered. Without the patient’s informed consent an health care professional is not permitted to provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In some instances patients don’t have the skills to comprehend their options in terms of treatment and the risks/benefits of each one. In other situations patients may not be able explain their decisions to health workers. In these situations patients are said not to have adequate decision making capacity. The family member, or court-appointed representative could then be able to provide informed consent instead.
Patients who are strongly affected by their emotions – such as anxiety or fear, for instance they could be judged as lacking the ability to make decisions. People who are not conscious cannot make decisions on their alone, and external parties require consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Consent Form Apps
Certain elements are generally included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical diagnosis/condition
The treatment that is recommended by the medical professional in charge
The risks and benefits associated with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments that are available, along with their potential risks and benefits
The risks and benefits that come of refusing treatment whatsoever
Not only must these items be recorded in the patient’s medical records however, they must be discussed with the patient. So, he can be fully aware of all the details of the scenario and will receive immediate responses to any questions that may be arising.