Depo Provera Consent Form – Everybody should be able to make educated decisions about their medical care. Medical treatments can be risky, therefore patients should be able to determine, based on known risks and the way their bodies will be treated. Therefore, before medical workers are allowed to operate on patients, they must be given the so-called informed consent.
Informed consent is a legal requirement where a patient is given a complete and accurate description of his or her physical health and the treatment suggested by the treating physician. Once this information is received the patient is required to give the doctor their consent to treat prior to any form of treatment can be provided. Without informed consent from the patient, a health care provider cannot offer treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In some cases patients lack the knowledge to fully comprehend their treatment options , as well as the potential risks and benefits associated with each one. In other cases, patients may not be able to effectively communicate their decisions to the health care professionals. In such situations the patient is said to lack the necessary decision making capacity. Family members or a court-appointed representative could then be able to take over informed consent.
Patients who are influenced by their emotions – such as anxiety or fear, for instance could be classified as not having the capacity to make decisions. The ones who are asleep clearly cannot take decisions on their independently, and other people require consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Depo Provera Consent Form
Certain elements are included on all informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical diagnosis/condition
The procedure recommended by the acting physician
The risks and advantages associated with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments that are offered, as are their potential risks and benefits
The risks and benefits that come with refusing treatment whatsoever
The items should not only be recorded in the patient’s medical records, but they must also discuss the situation with patients. This way, he can fully comprehend the details of the situation and will receive immediate responses to any questions that have arisen.