Psychiatric Consent Form – Everybody should be able to make informed choices about their medical care. Treatments for medical conditions can be risky, therefore patients should be able to determine from the facts about risks as well as their own personal preferences, how they will be treated. Thus, before medical personnel are permitted to provide treatment to patients they must obtain what is known as informed consent.
The informed consent requirement is legal requirement that requires that a patient be informed of the condition of their body and the treatment suggested by the doctor in charge. Once this information is received patients must sign a consent form with the doctor to treat prior to any form of care can be given. Without informed consent from the patient health care professional is not permitted to offer treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain instances patients may not have the capacity to comprehend their treatment options , as well as the risks/benefits associated with each one. In other instances patients may not be able to effectively communicate their choices to health professionals. When this occurs patients are said to lack the appropriate capacity to make decisions. The family member, or court appointed representative can perform informed consent instead.
Patients that are strongly influenced by their emotions, like anxiety or fear, as an example they could be judged as not having the capacity to make decisions. Those who are unconscious clearly cannot make decisions on their alone, and external parties are required to obtain consent instead.
Items in an Psychiatric Consent Form
Certain elements are generally included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical diagnosis/condition
The treatment that is recommended by the acting physician
The risks and benefits associated with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments are also available, along with their potential risks and benefits
The risks and benefits that come with refusing treatment at all
These items must not only be detailed in documentation however, they must be discussed with the patient. This way, he or can be fully aware of the specifics of the situation and get straight answers to any issues that may be arising.
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