Coppa Consent Form – Everyone should be able to make educated decisions about their health. Treatments for medical conditions can be demanding, and therefore patients should be able to decide from the facts about risks of their body, how it will be treated. Thus, before medical professionals are allowed to treat patients, they need to receive what is known as informed consent.
A patient’s informed consent can be a legally binding requirement in which patients are provided with specific information regarding his or her physical state as well as the treatment that is recommended by the treating physician. After receiving this information the patient has to provide the physician with consent to treat prior to any form of treatment is offered. Without informed consent from the patient, a health care provider is not permitted to offer treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain instances patients lack the ability to comprehend their options regarding treatment, and the benefits and risks associated with each one. In other instances patients may not be able to effectively convey their preferences to health care professionals. When this occurs patients are said not to possess the proper decision making capacity. The family member, or court appointed representative could then be able to provide informed consent instead.
Patients who are greatly influenced by their emotions – anxiety or fear, as an example are deemed not able to make decisions. The patients who are unconscious can’t make decisions on own. Therefore, outside parties require consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Coppa Consent Form
There are certain elements that are generally included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition/diagnosis
The procedure recommended by the acting physician
The risks and benefits associated with this method of treatment
There are alternative treatments available, along with their benefits and risks
The risks and benefits associated with refusing treatment at all
These items must not only be documented in a written document However, they should also discuss the situation with patients. This way, he can fully comprehend the specifics of the situation and can get direct answers to any queries that might arise.