Online Consent Form – Everyone should have the ability to make informed decisions regarding their health. Medical procedures can be demanding, and therefore patients should be able to ultimately determine in light of known risks, how their bodies will be treated. Therefore, before medical workers can be able to treat their patients, they have to obtain the process of informed consent.
Informed consent , a requirement in law is the condition under which a patient has been provided with detailed information about his or her physical health and the treatment recommended by the physician who is acting as the patient’s physician. After receiving this information, the patient must sign a consent form with the doctor to treat prior to any form of treatment can be given. Without the patient’s informed consent health care professional cannot provide treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain instances, patients do not possess the ability to comprehend their treatment options , as well as the risks and benefits that come with each one. In other instances patients might not be able to effectively convey their preferences to health workers. If this happens patients are said not to possess the proper capacity for decision-making. A family member or court appointed representative will then be permitted to provide informed consent instead.
Patients who are greatly influenced by their emotions – anxiety or fear, for example can be deemed to not able to make decisions. Those who are unconscious clearly cannot take decisions on their independently, and other people have to give consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Online Consent Form
Certain elements are common to all consent forms:
The patient’s medical diagnosis/condition
The treatment recommended by the physician who is acting
The risks and benefits that come with this treatment
Alternative treatments are readily available, as well as their benefits and risks
The potential risks and rewards with refusing treatment whatsoever
These items must not only be documented however, they must discuss the situation with patients. In this way, he or is able to fully comprehend the specifics of the situation and can get direct answers to any queries that might arise.