Consent Form For Research Proposal – Everybody should be able to make informed decisions about their healthcare. Treatments for medical conditions can be injurious, and patients must be able to ultimately determine the risks that are known to be present, how their bodies will be treated. Thus, before medical personnel are allowed to administer treatments to patients, they must obtain the process of informed consent.
Informed consent is a legal requirement where a patient is provided with specific information regarding his or her physical state as well as the treatment that is recommended by the doctor in charge. Once this information is received the patient has to give the doctor their consent to treat prior to any form or treatment can be provided. Without informed consent from the patient, a health care provider is not allowed to provide treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain instances patients may not have the capabilities to fully understand their treatment options , as well as the risks/benefits of each. In some instances patients might not be able to convey their preferences to health care professionals. If this happens it is believed that the patient not to have adequate capacity for decision-making. A family member or court-appointed representative in this case, can make informed consent on behalf of the patient.
Patients that are strongly influenced by their emotions, like anxiety or fear, as an example can be deemed to not having the capacity for decision-making. Those who are unconscious clearly cannot make decisions on own, and outside parties must provide consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Consent Form For Research Proposal
Certain elements are included on all informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical conditions/diagnosis
The procedure recommended by the doctor in charge
The risks and benefits that come with this treatment
Alternative treatments are available, along with their risks and benefits
The risks and benefits that come with refusing any treatment at all
These details must not only be recorded in the documentation, but they must also have a discussion with the patient. This way, he she will fully understand all the details of the scenario and will receive immediate responses to any concerns that might have arisen.