Google Consent Form – Everyone should have the ability to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare. Medical procedures can be risky, therefore patients should be able to decide, based on known risks as well as their own personal preferences, how they will be treated. In order to ensure that medical professionals can administer treatments to patients, they must be given what is known as informed consent.
Informed consent constitutes a lawful condition that requires that a patient be informed of his or her physical condition and the recommended treatment by the doctor in charge. Once this information is received patients must sign a consent form with the doctor to treat prior to any form of care can be offered. Without the patient’s informed consent, a health care provider is not permitted to provide treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain instances patients may not have the capacity to comprehend their treatment options and the risks and benefits that come with each. In other cases patients may not be able to effectively 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 make informed consent on behalf of the patient.
Patients who are influenced by their emotions – anxiety or fear, for example are deemed lacking the ability to make decisions. Patients who are in the state of unconscious are unable to make decisions on their own, and outside parties are required to obtain consent instead.
Items in an Google Consent Form
Certain elements are commonly included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition/diagnosis
The treatment recommended by the acting physician
The risks and advantages associated with this treatment
Alternative treatments are also available, as well as their risks and benefits
The dangers and advantages with not accepting any treatment whatsoever
The items should not only be documented however, they must been discussed by the patient. So, he she will fully understand all the details of the scenario and can get direct answers to any questions that may arise.