Informed Consent Form For Mental Health Counseling – Everyone should be able to make informed decisions about their medical care. Medical procedures can be risky, therefore patients should be able decide, based on known risks as well as their own personal preferences, how they will be treated. In order to ensure that medical professionals are permitted to treat patients, they must receive the so-called informed consent.
Informed consent constitutes a lawful condition under which a patient is given a complete and accurate description of the physical condition as well as the treatment that is recommended by the treating physician. After receiving this information patients must offer the physician consent to treat before any form or treatment can be offered. Without the patient’s informed consent an health care professional is not permitted to offer treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain instances the patients aren’t equipped with the ability to comprehend their treatment options , as well as the risks and benefits that come with each. In other circumstances patients might not be able to effectively explain their decisions to health care professionals. In such situations patients are said not to have adequate decision making capacity. The family member, or court-appointed representative, could then be able to take over informed consent.
Patients who are strongly affected by their emotions – such as anxiety or fear, for example they could be judged as not having the capacity for decision-making. Patients who are in the state of unconscious are unable to make decisions on their own, and outside parties have to give consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Informed Consent Form For Mental Health Counseling
There are certain elements that are included on all informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical conditions/diagnosis
The treatment suggested by the physician in charge
The risks and the benefits associated with this method of treatment
There are alternative treatments available, as well as their potential risks and benefits
The risks and benefits that come of refusing treatment whatsoever
These details must not only be documented, but they must also discuss the situation with patients. This way, he or can be fully aware of the particulars of the case and receive direct responses to any concerns that might have arisen.
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