New Patient Consent Form – Every person should be able to make informed decisions regarding their medical care. Medical treatments can be demanding, and therefore patients should be able to decide according to the known risks as well as their own personal preferences, how they will be treated. Thus, before medical professionals can treat patients, they must obtain the so-called informed consent.
Informed consent , a requirement in law is the condition in which patients are informed of his or her physical condition and the recommended treatment by the physician who is acting as the patient’s physician. After receiving this information the patient is required to sign a consent form with the doctor to treat prior to any form of care is delivered. Without informed consent from the patient health care professional is not permitted to provide treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In some cases patients lack the capacity to comprehend the options for treatment and the risks and benefits that come with each. In other instances, patients may not be able explain their decisions to health professionals. When this occurs patients are said to not possess adequate capacity for decision-making. A family member or court appointed representative could then be able to make informed consent on behalf of the patient.
Patients that are strongly influenced by their emotions, such as anxiety or fear, for instance – may be determined as not having the capacity to make decisions. Those who are unconscious clearly cannot make decisions on their alone, and external parties have to give consent for treatment instead.
Items in an New Patient Consent Form
Certain elements are commonly included in informed consent forms:
The diagnosis or medical condition of the patient.
The treatment suggested by the physician who is acting
The risks and benefits that come with this method of treatment
There are alternative treatments available, as well as their risks and benefits
The risks and benefits that come of refusing treatment whatsoever
These details must not only be detailed in documentation, but they must also have a discussion with the patient. So, he will be able to comprehend what is happening and will be able to get immediate answers to any questions that arise.
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