Informed Consent Form For Minors – Every person should be able to make informed decisions about their healthcare. Medical procedures can be sensitive, so patients must be able to ultimately determine according to the known risks, how their bodies will be treated. So, before medical professionals are permitted to provide treatment to patients they have to obtain the so-called informed consent.
Informed consent is a legal requirement where a patient is informed of his or her physical state and the recommended treatment by the acting physician. Once this information is received the patient is required to give the doctor their consent to treat before any form of care can be provided. Without the patient’s informed consent any health professional cannot provide treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain instances the patients aren’t equipped with the knowledge to fully comprehend their options in terms of treatment and the risks/benefits associated with each one. In other instances, patients may not be able to explain their decisions to health professionals. In these situations the patient is said not to have adequate decision making capacity. Family members or a court-appointed representative then, is allowed to give informed consent in lieu of the patient.
Patients who are heavily influenced by their emotions – such as anxiety or fear, as an example are deemed not having the capacity for decision-making. Those who are unconscious clearly cannot make decisions on own, and outside parties need to consent to treatment instead.
Items in an Informed Consent Form For Minors
Certain elements are included on all informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition/diagnosis
The treatment recommended by the medical professional in charge
The benefits and risks associated with this treatment
Alternative treatments are also available, along with their risks and benefits
The potential risks and rewards with not accepting any treatment at all
These items must not only be documented in a written document however, they must have a discussion with the patient. This way, he can be fully aware of the details of the situation and will receive immediate responses to any issues that may be arising.
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