Medical Financial Consent Form – Everybody should be able to make educated decisions about their health. Medical procedures can be injurious, and patients must be able, in the end, to decide the risks that are known to be present as well as their own personal preferences, how they will be treated. Thus, before medical personnel are permitted to provide treatment to patients they must obtain what is known as informed consent.
Informed consent constitutes a lawful condition that requires that a patient be provided with specific information regarding his or her physical state and the treatment recommended by the treating physician. After receiving this information patients must be able to give the physician their consent to treat before any form of treatment is offered. Without informed consent from the patient the health professional cannot offer treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In some instances patients may not have the skills to comprehend their options regarding treatment, and the risks and benefits that come with each. In some instances, patients may not be able explain their decisions to health care professionals. Under these circumstances, the patient is said to not possess adequate capacity to make decisions. If a family member is not present, or court appointed representative then, is allowed to perform informed consent instead.
Patients who are strongly affected by their emotions – anxiety or fear, as an example could be classified as not possessing decision making capacity. Patients who are in the state of unconscious are unable to make decisions on their independently, and other people must provide consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Medical Financial Consent Form
There are certain elements that are common to all consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition/diagnosis
The recommended treatment is suggested by the physician who is acting
The risks and the benefits associated with this treatment
There are alternative treatments available, along with their risks and benefits
The dangers and advantages of refusing treatment whatsoever
The items should not only be documented However, they should also be discussed with the patient. This way, he or can fully comprehend the specifics of the situation and get straight answers to any questions that be arising.