Consent Form For Human Subject Research – Every person should be able to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare. Medical procedures can be injurious, and patients must be able decide the risks that are known to be present of their body, how it will be treated. Thus, before medical professionals can administer treatments to patients, they must be given what is known as informed consent.
A patient’s informed consent can be a legally binding condition that requires that a patient be provided with specific information regarding his or her physical condition as well as the treatment that is recommended by the physician in charge. After receiving this information, the patient must offer the physician consent to treat prior to any form of treatment is administered. Without informed consent from the patient an health care professional cannot provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In some cases, patients do not possess the ability to comprehend their options in terms of treatment and the risks and benefits that come with each one. In other instances, patients may not be able explain their decisions to health professionals. If this happens the patient is said to lack the appropriate decision making capacity. Family members or a court appointed representative can take over informed consent.
Patients who are influenced by their emotions – anxiety or fear, for instance – may be determined as not having the capacity for decision-making. The patients who are unconscious cannot make decisions on their independently, and other people need to consent to treatment instead.
Items in an Consent Form For Human Subject Research
Certain elements are commonly included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition/diagnosis
The treatment recommended by the physician in charge
The risks and benefits associated with this treatment
Alternative treatments are also available, as well as their benefits and risks
The dangers and advantages with not accepting any treatment whatsoever
Not only should these details be documented They must also communicated with the person receiving the treatment. This way, he will be able to comprehend the specifics of the situation and get straight answers to any questions that may be arising.