Consent Form For Medical Treatment Of A Minor – Everyone should have the ability to make informed choices about their healthcare. The medical procedures can be sensitive, so patients must be able to decide from the facts about risks of their body, how it will be treated. Thus, before medical professionals are allowed to treat patients, they must receive the process of informed consent.
Informed consent , a requirement in law is the condition where a patient is given a complete and accurate description of his or her physical health and the treatment suggested by the acting physician. After receiving this information the patient must offer the physician consent to treat prior to any form or treatment can be offered. Without informed consent from the patient an health care professional is not permitted to provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In some cases patients don’t have the capabilities to fully understand their treatment options , as well as the benefits and risks associated with each. In other circumstances, patients may not be able to explain their decisions to health professionals. Under these circumstances patients are said to lack the appropriate decision making capacity. Family members or a court appointed representative can provide informed consent instead.
Patients who are influenced by their emotions – such as anxiety or fear, for example they could be judged as not having the capacity to make decisions. Those who are unconscious clearly cannot make decisions on their independent of themselves, so outsiders need to consent to treatment instead.
Items in an Consent Form For Medical Treatment Of A Minor
There are certain elements that are generally included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition/diagnosis
The treatment suggested by the physician in charge
The benefits and risks associated with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments that are offered, as are their risks and benefits
The risks and benefits associated of refusing treatment whatsoever
These details must not only be documented However, they should also be discussed with the patient. So, he can fully comprehend the details of the situation and can get direct answers to any questions that may have arisen.