Release Of Information Consent Form – Every person should be able to make informed decisions about their medical care. Medical treatments can be sensitive, so patients must be able, in the end, to decide the risks that are known to be present of their body, how it will be treated. Therefore, before medical workers are permitted to administer treatments to patients, they need to receive the so-called informed consent.
A patient’s informed consent can be a legally binding condition that requires that a patient be provided with a full and complete description of his or her physical health as well as the treatment that is recommended by the acting physician. Once this information is received, the patient must provide the physician with consent to treat before any form of treatment can be delivered. Without the patient’s informed consent health care professional is not permitted to provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In some instances patients don’t have the skills to comprehend their treatment options and the risks/benefits associated with each one. In other situations patients may not be able to effectively explain their decisions to health workers. Under these circumstances the patient is considered to lack the necessary capacity for decision-making. A family member or court-appointed representative, could then be able to take over informed consent.
Patients who are heavily influenced by their emotions – anxiety or fear, for example can be deemed to not having the capacity to make decisions. The patients who are unconscious cannot make decisions on own. Therefore, outside parties are required to obtain consent instead.
Items in an Release Of Information Consent Form
Certain elements are included on all informed consent forms:
The diagnosis or medical condition of the patient.
The procedure recommended by the acting physician
The benefits and risks associated with this procedure
Alternative treatments are available, as well as their potential risks and benefits
The benefits and risks associated with refusing any treatment at all
These items must not only be documented in a written document They must also have a discussion with the patient. So, he can fully comprehend all the details of the scenario and will be able to get immediate answers to any concerns that might have arisen.