Consent To Treat Form – Everybody should be able to make educated decisions about their health. The medical procedures can be injurious, and patients must be able to decide according to the known risks of their body, how it will be treated. Thus, before medical personnel are allowed to administer treatments to patients, they must obtain what is known as informed consent.
Informed consent , a requirement in law is the requirement in which patients are informed of the physical condition and the recommended treatment by the acting physician. After receiving this information the patient is required to provide the physician with consent to treat before any form of treatment can be given. Without the patient’s informed consent, a health care provider is not permitted to provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain situations, patients do not possess the capabilities to fully understand their treatment options , as well as the risks/benefits of each one. In some instances patients may not be able explain their decisions to health professionals. In these situations the patient is considered not to have adequate capacity to make decisions. An individual from the family or court appointed representative will then be permitted to give informed consent in lieu of the patient.
Patients that are strongly influenced by their emotions such as anxiety or fear for instance could be classified as not possessing decision making capacity. Patients who are in the state of unconscious can’t make decisions on own, and outside parties require consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Consent To Treat Form
Certain elements are common to all consent forms:
The patient’s medical conditions/diagnosis
The procedure recommended by the doctor in charge
The risks and benefits that come with this procedure
Alternative treatments are readily available, as well as their risks and benefits
The risks and benefits associated of refusing treatment whatsoever
These items must not only be detailed in documentation However, they should also been discussed by the patient. In this way, he or can fully comprehend the specifics of the situation and can get direct answers to any concerns that might be arising.