Electronic Informed Consent Form – Everyone should be able to make informed decisions regarding their health. Medical procedures can be injurious, and patients must be able to decide in light of known risks as well as their own personal preferences, how they will be treated. So, before medical professionals are permitted to administer treatments to patients, they have to obtain the process of informed consent.
Informed consent constitutes a lawful requirement under which a patient has been provided with detailed information about the physical condition as well as the treatment that is recommended by the treating physician. Once this information is received the patient has to give the doctor their consent to treat before any form of care can be administered. Without informed consent from the patient, a health care provider is not allowed to provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain situations patients lack the capabilities to fully understand their treatment options and the risks/benefits associated with each one. In other instances, patients may not be able explain their decisions to health care professionals. Under these circumstances the patient is said to lack the appropriate capacity for decision-making. If a family member is not present, or court appointed representative can take over informed consent.
Patients who are strongly affected by their emotions such as anxiety or fear, as an example can be deemed to not possessing decision making capacity. The ones who are asleep clearly cannot take decisions on their own, and outside parties have to give consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Electronic Informed Consent Form
Certain elements are generally included in informed consent forms:
The diagnosis or medical condition of the patient.
The treatment suggested by the doctor in charge
The benefits and risks associated with this treatment
There are alternative treatments available, along with their risks and benefits
The risks and benefits that come with accepting no treatment whatsoever
These details must not only be recorded in the patient’s medical records But they also need to discuss the situation with patients. This way, he or can fully comprehend all the details of the scenario and will be able to get immediate answers to any queries that might have arisen.
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