Informed Consent Form Template For Research

Informed Consent Form Template For Research – Everyone should have the ability to make informed choices about their health. Medical treatments can be invasive, so patients should be able to determine in light of known risks that their bodies should be treated. Thus, before medical personnel are permitted to operate on patients, they need to receive the process of informed consent.

Informed consent constitutes a lawful requirement where a patient is given a complete and accurate description of his or her physical condition and the treatment recommended by the physician in charge. After receiving this information patients must provide the physician with consent to treat prior to any form of treatment can be administered. Without informed consent from the patient, a health care provider is not permitted to offer treatments.

Decision Making Capacity

In some cases patients don’t have the capacity to comprehend their options in terms of treatment and the risks/benefits of each one. In some instances patients might not be able to explain their decisions to health care professionals. Under these circumstances patients are said to lack the appropriate capacity to make decisions. Family members or a court-appointed representative can give informed consent in lieu of the patient.

Patients who are influenced by their emotions – anxiety or fear, for instance – may be determined as not having the capacity for decision-making. Those who are unconscious clearly cannot make decisions on their alone, and external parties must provide consent for treatment instead.

Items in an Informed Consent Form Template For Research

Certain elements are generally included in informed consent forms:

The patient’s medical condition/diagnosis

The treatment recommended by the doctor in charge

The risks and the benefits associated with this procedure

Alternative treatments are readily offered, as are their benefits and risks

The potential risks and rewards with not accepting any treatment whatsoever

Not only must these items be documented however, they must discuss the situation with patients. This way, he is able to fully comprehend what is happening and can get direct answers to any questions that may have arisen.