Purpose Of Informed Consent Form – Every person should be able to make informed choices about their health. Treatments for medical conditions can be risky, therefore patients should be able decide from the facts about risks of their body, how it will be treated. Thus, before medical professionals can be able to treat their patients, they must obtain the process of informed consent.
Informed consent is a legal requirement under which a patient has been given a complete and accurate description of his or her physical health and the recommended treatment by the physician who is acting as the patient’s physician. After receiving this information the patient has to give the doctor their consent to treat before any form of care can be delivered. Without informed consent from the patient, a health care provider cannot provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In some instances patients don’t have the capabilities to fully understand their treatment options and the risks/benefits of each one. In some instances patients might not be able convey their preferences to health professionals. When this occurs patients are said to lack the appropriate capacity for decision-making. An individual from the family or court-appointed representative could then be able to provide informed consent instead.
Patients who are greatly influenced by their emotions – anxiety or fear, as an example can be deemed to not having the capacity to make decisions. Patients who are in the state of unconscious are unable to make decisions on their alone, and external parties need to consent to treatment instead.
Items in an Purpose Of Informed Consent Form
There are certain elements that are universally included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition or diagnosis
The treatment recommended by the doctor in charge
The risks and advantages associated with this procedure
Alternative treatments are also available, along with their risks and benefits
The potential risks and rewards with refusing any treatment at all
Not only should these details be recorded in the patient’s medical records They must also be discussed with the patient. So, he will be able to comprehend what is happening and receive direct responses to any queries that might arise.