Director Consent Form – Everyone should have the ability to make informed decisions about their healthcare. Medical treatments can be quite sensitive, so patients must be able to ultimately determine according to the known risks and the way their bodies will be treated. In order to ensure that medical professionals are permitted to administer treatments to patients, they must receive what is known as informed consent.
Informed consent constitutes a lawful requirement under which a patient has been provided with specific information regarding the condition of their body and the treatment suggested by the physician in charge. Once this information is received the patient has to offer the physician consent to treat before any form of care is offered. Without informed consent from the patient an health care professional is not permitted to provide treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain situations, patients do not possess the capacity to comprehend their treatment options and the risks/benefits associated with each. In other situations, patients may not be able explain their decisions to health workers. Under these circumstances it is believed that the patient not to possess the proper capacity for decision-making. If a family member is not present, or court-appointed representative then, is allowed to provide informed consent instead.
Patients who are greatly influenced by their emotions – such as anxiety or fear for instance could be classified as not able to make decisions. Patients who are in the state of unconscious cannot make decisions on their alone, and external parties must provide consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Director Consent Form
Certain elements are generally included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition or diagnosis
The treatment that is recommended by the medical professional in charge
The benefits and risks associated with this treatment
Alternative treatments are readily offered, as are their benefits and risks
The potential risks and rewards with refusing treatment whatsoever
The items should not only be documented in a written document However, they should also been discussed by the patient. This way, he can be fully aware of all the details of the scenario and will be able to get immediate answers to any questions that may be arising.