Passport Consent Form – Everyone should have the ability to make informed decisions regarding their medical care. Medical treatments can be quite demanding, and therefore patients should be able decide according to the known risks, how their bodies will be treated. So, before medical professionals are allowed to administer treatments to patients, they need to receive the process of informed consent.
A patient’s informed consent can be a legally binding requirement where a patient is provided with detailed information about his or her physical state as well as the treatment that is recommended by the acting physician. After receiving this information patients must provide the physician with consent to treat prior to any form or treatment can be provided. Without the patient’s informed consent, a health care provider is not permitted to offer treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In some cases patients lack the ability to comprehend their treatment options , as well as the risks/benefits associated with each. In some instances, patients may not be able to effectively convey their preferences to health care professionals. In these situations, the patient is said to not possess adequate decision making capacity. If a family member is not present, or court-appointed representative could then be able to provide informed consent instead.
Patients who are greatly influenced 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 their independently, and other people have to give consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Passport Consent Form
Certain elements are universally included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition/diagnosis
The treatment suggested by the doctor in charge
The risks and benefits associated with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments are readily offered, as are their risks and benefits
The risks and benefits associated with accepting no treatment whatsoever
The items should not only be recorded in the patient’s medical records however, they must communicated with the person receiving the treatment. This way, he will be able to comprehend the specifics of the situation and get straight answers to any queries that might arise.