Consumer Consent Form – Everyone should be able to make educated decisions about their medical care. Treatments for medical conditions can be sensitive, so patients must be able to ultimately determine the risks that are known to be present that their bodies should be treated. So, before medical professionals can administer treatments to patients, they must be given the process of informed consent.
A patient’s informed consent can be a legally binding condition in which patients are informed of his or her physical health and the treatment recommended by the physician in charge. Once this information is received patients must give the doctor their consent to treat before any form of care can be delivered. Without informed consent from the patient the health professional is not permitted to provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In some instances, patients do not possess the ability to comprehend their treatment options and the risks and benefits that come with each. In other cases patients might not be able communicate their decision to health professionals. If this happens the patient is considered not to possess the proper capacity to make decisions. Family members or a court-appointed representative then, is allowed to make informed consent on behalf of the patient.
Patients who are strongly affected by their emotions, like anxiety or fear, as an example could be classified as not having the capacity for decision-making. Patients who are in the state of unconscious can’t make decisions on independently, and other people have to give consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Consumer Consent Form
Certain elements are included on all informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical conditions/diagnosis
The treatment recommended by the physician who is acting
The risks and advantages associated with this procedure
Alternative treatments are readily available, as well as their risks and benefits
The potential risks and rewards with not accepting any treatment whatsoever
Not only must these items be recorded in the documentation They must also been discussed by the patient. This way, he or can fully comprehend what is happening and can get direct answers to any queries that might arise.
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