Informed Consent Form Icmr – Every person should be able to make educated decisions about their health. Medical procedures can be sensitive, so patients must be able to ultimately determine according to the known risks and the way their bodies will be treated. Thus, before medical professionals are permitted to operate on patients, they must be given what is known as informed consent.
Informed consent , a requirement in law is the requirement that requires that a patient be provided with detailed information about his or her physical health as well as the treatment that is recommended by the physician in charge. Once this information is received the patient must give the doctor their consent to treat before any form of treatment can be administered. Without informed consent from the patient the health professional cannot provide treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain instances patients lack the knowledge to fully comprehend their treatment options and the risks/benefits associated with each. In other situations patients may not be able to convey their preferences to health professionals. Under these circumstances it is believed that the patient not to possess the proper capacity for decision-making. If a family member is not present, or court appointed representative could then be able to provide informed consent instead.
Patients that are strongly influenced by their emotions, such as anxiety or fear for instance are deemed not having the capacity for decision-making. Those who are unconscious clearly cannot make decisions on independently, and other people have to give consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Informed Consent Form Icmr
There are certain elements that are generally included in informed consent forms:
The diagnosis or medical condition of the patient.
The treatment recommended by the physician in charge
The risks and advantages associated with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments are readily available, along with their benefits and risks
The risks and benefits associated with not accepting any treatment whatsoever
Not only should these details be documented in a written document however, they must be discussed with the patient. In this way, he or she will fully understand what is happening and will receive immediate responses to any questions that may arise.