Letter Of Consent Application Form – Everybody should be able to make informed decisions regarding their health. Medical treatments can be invasive, so patients should be able to ultimately determine from the facts about risks and the way their bodies will be treated. In order to ensure that medical professionals can administer treatments to patients, they must receive what is known as informed consent.
Informed consent is a legal requirement under which a patient has been informed of the condition of their body and the recommended treatment by the treating physician. Once this information is received patients must be able to give the physician their consent to treat before any form of care can be given. Without informed consent from the patient health care professional cannot offer treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain situations patients may not have the skills to comprehend their treatment options , as well as the potential risks and benefits associated with each one. In other instances, patients may not be able explain their decisions to health professionals. If this happens, the patient is said to lack the necessary capacity for decision-making. An individual from the family or court-appointed representative, can provide informed consent instead.
Patients who are influenced by their emotions – such as anxiety or fear, for example they could be judged as not able to make decisions. Those who are unconscious clearly are unable to make decisions on their independent of themselves, so outsiders require consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Letter Of Consent Application Form
Certain elements are commonly included in informed consent forms:
The diagnosis or medical condition of the patient.
The recommended treatment is suggested by the acting physician
The risks and benefits associated with this treatment
Alternative treatments are available, along with their risks and benefits
The risks and benefits associated with refusing any treatment whatsoever
The items should not only be recorded in the documentation, but they must also have a discussion with the patient. So, he is able to fully comprehend the specifics of the situation and get straight answers to any questions that may arise.