Content Of Informed Consent Form – Every person should be able to make educated decisions about their healthcare. Medical procedures can be demanding, and therefore patients should be able to determine the risks that are known to be present of their body, how it will be treated. Thus, before medical professionals are allowed to operate on patients, they have to obtain the process of informed consent.
Informed consent , a requirement in law is the requirement under which a patient is provided with specific information regarding the condition of their body and the treatment suggested by the doctor in charge. After receiving this information, the patient must give the doctor their consent to treat prior to any form of treatment can be provided. Without informed consent from the patient an health care professional cannot provide treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In some cases patients don’t have the capabilities to fully understand their treatment options , as well as the risks/benefits associated with each one. In other situations, patients may not be able to convey their preferences to health workers. Under these circumstances patients are said to lack the necessary decision making capacity. The family member, or court-appointed representative, will then be permitted to give informed consent in lieu of the patient.
Patients who are strongly affected by their emotions – anxiety or fear, for instance – may be determined as lacking the ability to make decisions. Those who are unconscious clearly cannot take decisions on their own. Therefore, outside parties are required to obtain consent instead.
Items in an Content Of Informed Consent Form
Certain elements are common to all consent forms:
The patient’s medical conditions/diagnosis
The treatment recommended by the medical professional in charge
The risks and advantages associated with this procedure
Alternative treatments are also offered, as are their risks and benefits
The dangers and advantages with not accepting any treatment at all
These details must not only be recorded in the documentation however, they must be discussed with the patient. In this way, he or she will fully understand the details of the situation and receive direct responses to any concerns that might be arising.