Noun Form Of Consent – Everyone should have the ability to make educated decisions about their medical care. Medical treatments can be quite sensitive, so patients must be able to determine according to the known risks as well as their own personal preferences, how they will be treated. So, before medical professionals are allowed to provide treatment to patients they must receive what is known as informed consent.
The informed consent requirement is legal requirement under which a patient is provided with specific information regarding his or her physical health as well as the treatment that is recommended by the doctor in charge. After receiving this information the patient must give the doctor their consent to treat before any form or treatment can be given. Without the patient’s informed consent an health care professional is not permitted to provide treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain situations patients lack the capabilities to fully understand their treatment options , as well as the risks/benefits associated with each. In other situations, patients may not be able to communicate their decisions to the health professionals. When this occurs, the patient is said to lack the necessary decision making capacity. A family member or court-appointed representative could then be able to make informed consent on behalf of the patient.
Patients who are strongly affected by their emotions – such as anxiety or fear, for example – may be determined as not possessing decision making capacity. The patients who are unconscious cannot make decisions on independent of themselves, so outsiders require consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Noun Form Of Consent
Certain elements are included on all informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition/diagnosis
The procedure recommended by the medical professional in charge
The benefits and risks associated with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments that are available, along with their potential risks and benefits
The potential risks and rewards of refusing treatment at all
These items must not only be recorded in the patient’s medical records However, they should also be discussed with the patient. This way, he or is able to fully comprehend the details of the situation and will be able to get immediate answers to any concerns that might be arising.