Electronic Consent Form – Everybody should be able to make informed decisions regarding their health. Medical treatments can be demanding, and therefore patients should be able decide in light of known risks as well as their own personal preferences, how they will be treated. Thus, before medical personnel are allowed to be able to treat their patients, they need to receive the process of informed consent.
Informed consent , a requirement in law is the condition that requires that a patient be informed of his or her physical condition and the treatment recommended by the doctor in charge. After receiving this information the patient must offer the physician consent to treat before any form of care can be given. Without the patient’s informed consent, a health care provider cannot provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In some cases patients lack the skills to comprehend their options in terms of treatment and the risks/benefits of each. In some instances patients might not be able communicate their choices to health workers. In these situations patients are said to lack the appropriate capacity for decision-making. Family members or a court-appointed representative then, is allowed to give informed consent in lieu of the patient.
Patients who are influenced by their emotions, such as anxiety or fear, for example – may be determined as not having the capacity to make decisions. Patients who are in the state of unconscious cannot take decisions on their own, and outside parties are required to obtain consent instead.
Items in an Electronic Consent Form
Certain elements are included on all informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition or diagnosis
The treatment recommended by the acting physician
The risks and advantages associated with this procedure
Alternative treatments are readily available, along with their potential risks and benefits
The risks and benefits associated of refusing treatment whatsoever
These items must not only be detailed in documentation However, they should also discuss the situation with patients. This way, he can fully comprehend what is happening and get straight answers to any queries that might be arising.
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