Power Of Attorney Consent Form – Everyone should have the ability to make informed choices about their medical care. The medical procedures can be invasive, so patients should be able to ultimately determine the risks that are known to be present and the way their bodies will be treated. Thus, before medical personnel are allowed to be able to treat their patients, they must obtain the process of informed consent.
Informed consent constitutes a lawful condition that requires that a patient be provided with detailed information about his or her physical health as well as the treatment that is recommended by the doctor in charge. After receiving this information the patient is required to sign a consent form with the doctor to treat before any form of care can be delivered. Without informed consent from the patient the health professional cannot provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In some instances patients lack the knowledge to fully comprehend their options regarding treatment, and the risks/benefits of each one. In other cases patients might not be able to effectively communicate their decision to health workers. In these situations the patient is considered to lack the appropriate decision making capacity. If a family member is not present, or court-appointed representative in this case, can take over informed consent.
Patients who are greatly influenced by their emotions, such as anxiety or fear, as an example are deemed lacking the ability to make decisions. Patients who are in the state of unconscious cannot take decisions on their independent of themselves, so outsiders must provide consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Power Of Attorney Consent Form
There are certain elements that are commonly included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical diagnosis/condition
The treatment that is recommended by the physician in charge
The risks and the benefits associated with this procedure
Alternative treatments that are offered, as are their benefits and risks
The benefits and risks associated with not accepting any treatment whatsoever
These details must not only be detailed in documentation But they also need to communicated with the person receiving the treatment. This way, he can be fully aware of the specifics of the situation and get straight answers to any queries that might be arising.