Consent Form Sample – Every person should be able to make informed decisions regarding their medical care. Medical procedures can be demanding, and therefore patients should be able to determine the risks that are known to be present and the way their bodies will be treated. So, before medical professionals are permitted to provide treatment to patients they must be given what is known as informed consent.
The informed consent requirement is legal requirement in which patients are provided with a full and complete description of his or her physical condition and the treatment suggested by the physician who is acting as the patient’s physician. Once this information is received patients must provide the physician with consent to treat prior to any form of treatment is provided. Without the patient’s informed consent the health professional cannot provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain instances patients don’t have the ability to comprehend their treatment options , as well as the risks/benefits associated with each one. In other instances patients might not be able to communicate their decision to health workers. When this occurs the patient is said to lack the necessary capacity for decision-making. If a family member is not present, or court appointed representative then, is allowed to make informed consent on behalf of the patient.
Patients who are strongly affected by their emotions – anxiety or fear for instance can be deemed to not having the capacity to make decisions. The patients who are unconscious cannot make decisions on own. Therefore, outside parties need to consent to treatment instead.
Items in an Consent Form Sample
There are certain elements that are included on all informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition/diagnosis
The recommended treatment is suggested by the acting physician
The risks and benefits that come with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments are available, as well as their benefits and risks
The risks and benefits associated with not accepting any treatment at all
Not only must these items be detailed in documentation, but they must also been discussed by the patient. This way, he or can fully comprehend the details of the situation and will be able to get immediate answers to any queries that might arise.
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