Consent To Share Information Form – Everyone should be able to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare. Medical procedures can be invasive, so patients should be able to determine according to the known risks of their body, how it will be treated. Therefore, before medical workers are allowed to be able to treat their patients, they need to receive what is known as informed consent.
Informed consent is a legal requirement under which a patient is informed of his or her physical condition and the recommended treatment by the physician in charge. After receiving this information, the patient must sign a consent form with the doctor to treat prior to any form of treatment is delivered. Without the patient’s informed consent health care professional is not permitted to offer treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain situations patients may not have the ability to comprehend their treatment options and the risks and benefits that come with each. In other cases patients might not be able to effectively explain their decisions to health workers. In such situations it is believed that the patient to not possess adequate capacity to make decisions. A family member or court appointed representative then, is allowed to give informed consent in lieu of the patient.
Patients who are heavily influenced by their emotions – anxiety or fear, as an example can be deemed to not possessing decision making capacity. Those who are unconscious clearly cannot take decisions on their alone, and external parties are required to obtain consent instead.
Items in an Consent To Share Information Form
Certain elements are generally included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical diagnosis/condition
The procedure recommended by the physician who is acting
The risks and benefits associated with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments that are offered, as are their benefits and risks
The risks and benefits that come with not accepting any treatment whatsoever
Not only should these details be recorded in the patient’s medical records however, they must be discussed with the patient. So, he is able to fully comprehend what is happening and receive direct responses to any concerns that might arise.