Free Printable Medical Consent Form For Minor Child – Every person should be able to make informed decisions about their medical care. Medical procedures can be risky, therefore patients should be able, in the end, to decide according to the known risks and the way their bodies will be treated. Thus, before medical professionals can be able to treat their patients, they must obtain what is known as informed consent.
A patient’s informed consent can be a legally binding requirement under which a patient has been given a complete and accurate description of his or her physical health as well as the treatment that is recommended by the treating physician. Once this information is received the patient has to provide the physician with consent to treat before any form of treatment is offered. Without the patient’s informed consent an health care professional is not permitted to offer treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In some cases the patients aren’t equipped with the capabilities to fully understand their options regarding treatment, and the risks/benefits associated with each one. In other instances patients may not be able communicate their decisions to the health workers. If this happens it is believed that the patient not to have adequate capacity for decision-making. An individual from the family or court appointed representative in this case, can make informed consent on behalf of the patient.
Patients that are strongly influenced by their emotions, such as anxiety or fear, for example are deemed not able to make decisions. The ones who are asleep clearly can’t make decisions on alone, and external parties must provide consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Free Printable Medical Consent Form For Minor Child
There are certain elements that are included on all informed consent forms:
The diagnosis or medical condition of the patient.
The treatment recommended by the acting physician
The benefits and risks associated with this procedure
Alternative treatments that are offered, as are their benefits and risks
The risks and benefits that come with not accepting any treatment whatsoever
Not only must these items be documented in a written document, but they must also have a discussion with the patient. This way, he is able to fully comprehend the particulars of the case and will receive immediate responses to any questions that be arising.