Informed Consent Form For Medical Treatment – Every person should be able to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare. Medical treatments can be quite demanding, and therefore patients should be able decide from the facts about risks and the way their bodies will be treated. In order to ensure that medical professionals can operate on patients, they have to obtain what is known as informed consent.
Informed consent is a legal condition in which patients are provided with specific information regarding his or her physical health and the treatment recommended by the treating physician. Once this information is received the patient must be able to give the physician their consent to treat before any form of treatment can be given. Without informed consent from the patient the health professional is not allowed to provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain situations patients don’t have the knowledge to fully comprehend their treatment options , as well as the risks/benefits of each one. In some instances patients might not be able to convey their preferences to health workers. Under these circumstances it is believed that the patient not to have adequate capacity for decision-making. If a family member is not present, or court appointed representative could then be able to give informed consent in lieu of the patient.
Patients that are strongly influenced by their emotions – anxiety or fear, for instance are deemed not possessing decision making capacity. Patients who are in the state of unconscious cannot make decisions on their independently, and other people have to give consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Informed Consent Form For Medical Treatment
Certain elements are generally included in informed consent forms:
The diagnosis or medical condition of the patient.
The treatment recommended by the acting physician
The risks and advantages associated with this procedure
Alternative treatments are also offered, as are their benefits and risks
The benefits and risks associated of refusing treatment whatsoever
These items must not only be documented in a written document, but they must also have a discussion with the patient. So, he is able to fully comprehend the details of the situation and receive direct responses to any issues that may be arising.