Interview Consent Form – Everyone should be able to make informed decisions regarding their health. Medical procedures can be demanding, and therefore patients should be able decide according to the known risks of their body, how it will be treated. Therefore, before medical workers are permitted to administer treatments to patients, they must receive the process of informed consent.
Informed consent constitutes a lawful requirement that requires that a patient be given a complete and accurate description of his or her physical condition and the treatment recommended by the treating physician. After receiving this information the patient is required to provide the physician with consent to treat prior to any form of care is delivered. Without informed consent from the patient, a health care provider cannot provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain situations, patients do not possess the skills to comprehend their options regarding treatment, and the risks/benefits associated with each one. In other cases, patients may not be able communicate their decisions to the health care professionals. Under these circumstances, the patient is said to not possess adequate capacity to make decisions. An individual from the family or court appointed representative then, is allowed to provide informed consent instead.
Patients who are strongly affected by their emotions – anxiety or fear, for example could be classified as not possessing decision making capacity. The patients who are unconscious are unable to make decisions on their own, and outside parties have to give consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Interview Consent Form
Certain elements are universally included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical conditions/diagnosis
The procedure recommended by the doctor in charge
The benefits and risks associated with this method of treatment
There are alternative treatments available, as well as their benefits and risks
The risks and benefits associated with not accepting any treatment at all
Not only must these items be recorded in the patient’s medical records However, they should also have a discussion with the patient. So, he will be able to comprehend the details of the situation and will be able to get immediate answers to any concerns that might have arisen.