Private Practice Informed Consent Form – Every person should be able to make informed choices about their health. Medical treatments can be risky, therefore patients should be able to determine the risks that are known to be present as well as their own personal preferences, how they will be treated. Thus, before medical personnel are permitted to operate on patients, they need to receive the process of informed consent.
Informed consent constitutes a lawful requirement that requires that a patient be provided with detailed information about his or her physical health and the recommended treatment by the doctor in charge. After receiving this information, the patient must give the doctor their consent to treat before any form or treatment can be offered. Without informed consent from the patient the health professional is not permitted to provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In some instances, patients do not possess the capabilities to fully understand their treatment options and the risks and benefits that come with each. In other cases, patients may not be able to explain their decisions to health care professionals. If this happens the patient is considered not to have adequate decision making capacity. If a family member is not present, or court appointed representative in this case, can provide informed consent instead.
Patients that are strongly influenced by their emotions, such as anxiety or fear, for example they could be judged as not having the capacity for decision-making. Patients who are in the state of unconscious cannot take decisions on their own. Therefore, outside parties require consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Private Practice Informed Consent Form
Certain elements are included on all informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical conditions/diagnosis
The procedure recommended by the acting physician
The risks and benefits that come with this procedure
There are alternative treatments available, as well as their benefits and risks
The risks and benefits associated with refusing any treatment whatsoever
These items must not only be documented in a written document However, they should also discuss the situation with patients. In this way, he or she will fully understand the specifics of the situation and will be able to get immediate answers to any issues that may arise.