Medical Informed Consent Form – Every person should be able to make informed decisions regarding their medical care. Medical treatments can be risky, therefore patients should be able to determine, based on known risks, how their bodies will be treated. Thus, before medical personnel are allowed to operate on patients, they must obtain the so-called informed consent.
Informed consent , a requirement in law is the condition under which a patient is informed of the physical condition and the treatment recommended by the physician in charge. Once this information is received, the patient must offer the physician consent to treat prior to any form of care is delivered. Without the patient’s informed consent an health care professional cannot provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In some cases patients may not have the skills to comprehend their treatment options and the benefits and risks associated with each one. In other situations patients may not be able communicate their decisions to the health workers. In such situations patients are said to lack the necessary capacity for decision-making. The family member, or court appointed representative in this case, can give informed consent in lieu of the patient.
Patients who are heavily influenced by their emotions, like anxiety or fear, for example are deemed not having the capacity for decision-making. The patients who are unconscious cannot take decisions on their independently, and other people need to consent to treatment instead.
Items in an Medical Informed Consent Form
Certain elements are included on all informed consent forms:
The diagnosis or medical condition of the patient.
The recommended treatment is suggested by the physician in charge
The risks and benefits that come with this procedure
Alternative treatments are readily offered, as are their risks and benefits
The dangers and advantages with not accepting any treatment at all
The items should not only be recorded in the patient’s medical records however, they must be discussed with the patient. This way, he can fully comprehend the particulars of the case and get straight answers to any questions that may have arisen.
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