Draft Consent Form – Everyone should be able to make educated decisions about their medical care. The medical procedures can be risky, therefore patients should be able, in the end, to decide in light of known risks that their bodies should be treated. Thus, before medical professionals can provide treatment to patients they need to receive the process of informed consent.
The informed consent requirement is legal requirement in which patients are provided with specific information regarding the physical condition and the recommended treatment by the acting physician. After receiving this information the patient is required to provide the physician with consent to treat prior to any form of treatment is offered. Without informed consent from the patient health care professional cannot provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain situations, patients do not possess the ability to comprehend their treatment options , as well as the risks/benefits of each. In some instances, patients may not be able explain their decisions to health professionals. In such situations patients are said 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 that are strongly influenced by their emotions – such as anxiety or fear, as an example are deemed not possessing decision making capacity. Patients who are in the state of unconscious cannot take decisions on their independent of themselves, so outsiders have to give consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Draft Consent Form
There are certain elements that are included on all informed consent forms:
The diagnosis or medical condition of the patient.
The treatment that is recommended by the physician who is acting
The risks and benefits associated with this treatment
Alternative treatments are offered, as are their benefits and risks
The risks and benefits that come of refusing treatment whatsoever
These details must not only be documented But they also need to be discussed with the patient. So, he is able to fully comprehend the specifics of the situation and receive direct responses to any questions that may have arisen.