Plastic Surgery Consent Forms – Every person should be able to make educated decisions about their healthcare. Treatments for medical conditions can be invasive, so patients should be able, in the end, to decide from the facts about risks as well as their own personal preferences, how they will be treated. Thus, before medical personnel can be able to treat their patients, they have to obtain the process of informed consent.
Informed consent constitutes a lawful requirement under which a patient has been provided with a full and complete description of his or her physical health as well as the treatment that is recommended by the physician who is acting as the patient’s physician. After receiving this information patients must provide the physician with consent to treat prior to any form of care is given. Without informed consent from the patient, a health care provider is not allowed to provide treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In some instances patients may not have the knowledge to fully comprehend their options regarding treatment, and the benefits and risks associated with each. In other situations patients may not be able to convey their preferences to health professionals. If this happens patients are said not to possess the proper capacity to make decisions. Family members or a court-appointed representative, in this case, can give informed consent in lieu of the patient.
Patients who are influenced by their emotions, like anxiety or fear, for example can be deemed to not able to make decisions. The patients who are unconscious can’t make decisions on own, and outside parties must provide consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Plastic Surgery Consent Forms
There are certain elements that are common to all consent forms:
The diagnosis or medical condition of the patient.
The procedure recommended by the doctor in charge
The risks and the benefits associated with this treatment
There are alternative treatments available, along with their benefits and risks
The risks and benefits associated of refusing treatment at all
Not only must these items be documented in a written document however, they must been discussed by the patient. This way, he will be able to comprehend the particulars of the case and get straight answers to any concerns that might be arising.