Release Consent Form – Every person should be able to make informed decisions about their healthcare. Treatments for medical conditions can be invasive, so patients should be able to ultimately determine in light of known risks of their body, how it will be treated. So, before medical professionals can treat patients, they must receive the process of informed consent.
Informed consent , a requirement in law is the requirement under which a patient has been given a complete and accurate description of his or her physical health as well as the treatment that is recommended by the treating physician. After receiving this information, the patient must offer the physician consent to treat prior to any form of care is provided. Without the patient’s informed consent the health professional cannot offer treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In some instances patients lack the skills to comprehend their treatment options , as well as the risks/benefits of each. In other circumstances patients may not be able explain their decisions to health workers. If this happens it is believed that the patient to lack the appropriate decision making capacity. An individual from the family or court-appointed representative in this case, can perform informed consent instead.
Patients who are strongly affected by their emotions, such as anxiety or fear, for example – may be determined as lacking the ability to make decisions. People who are not conscious cannot make decisions on independently, and other people must provide consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Release Consent Form
There are certain elements that are commonly included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical diagnosis/condition
The recommended treatment is suggested by the physician in charge
The risks and the benefits associated with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments are available, as well as their potential risks and benefits
The benefits and risks associated with accepting no treatment at all
Not only must these items be detailed in documentation They must also communicated with the person receiving the treatment. So, he she will fully understand what is happening and will receive immediate responses to any concerns that might have arisen.