Parental Medical Consent Form – Everyone should be able to make informed decisions about their healthcare. The medical procedures can be sensitive, so patients must be able, in the end, to decide, based on known risks, how their bodies will be treated. Thus, before medical personnel are allowed to be able to treat their patients, they must receive the process of informed consent.
The informed consent requirement is legal condition that requires that a patient be provided with specific information regarding his or her physical state and the treatment suggested 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 can be provided. Without the patient’s informed consent health care professional is not permitted to provide treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In some cases patients lack the capacity to comprehend their options regarding treatment, and the risks and benefits that come with each. In other cases, patients may not be able to effectively convey their preferences to health care professionals. If this happens the patient is said not to have adequate decision making capacity. If a family member is not present, or court appointed representative then, is allowed to take over informed consent.
Patients who are heavily influenced by their emotions such as anxiety or fear for instance could be classified as not having the capacity to make decisions. Those who are unconscious clearly can’t make decisions on independent of themselves, so outsiders must provide consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Parental Medical Consent Form
There are certain elements that are included on all informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical diagnosis/condition
The recommended treatment is suggested by the medical professional in charge
The risks and benefits associated with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments are readily available, along with their benefits and risks
The risks and benefits associated with refusing any treatment at all
The items should not only be documented however, they must have a discussion with the patient. This way, he she will fully understand what is happening and will receive immediate responses to any questions that may arise.
Download Parental Medical Consent Form
Gallery of Parental Medical Consent Form
