Sample Consent Form For Research – Everybody should be able to make informed decisions about their healthcare. Medical procedures can be demanding, and therefore patients should be able to decide according to the known risks and the way their bodies will be treated. Thus, before medical professionals are allowed to administer treatments to patients, they must obtain the so-called informed consent.
Informed consent , a requirement in law is the condition where a patient is provided with a full and complete description of his or her physical health as well as the treatment that is recommended by the physician who is acting as the patient’s physician. Once this information is received the patient is required to give the doctor their consent to treat prior to any form of care is given. Without the patient’s informed consent the health professional is not allowed to provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain instances, patients do not possess the skills to comprehend their options in terms of treatment and the risks/benefits of each. In other instances patients might not be able explain their decisions to health workers. Under these circumstances it is believed that the patient to not possess adequate decision making capacity. If a family member is not present, or court appointed representative could then be able to make informed consent on behalf of the patient.
Patients who are greatly influenced by their emotions – anxiety or fear for instance are deemed not having the capacity to make decisions. Those who are unconscious clearly cannot make decisions on their own. Therefore, outside parties have to give consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Sample Consent Form For Research
There are certain elements that are common to all consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition/diagnosis
The treatment suggested by the doctor in charge
The benefits and risks associated with this procedure
Alternative treatments are readily available, along with their risks and benefits
The dangers and advantages of refusing treatment at all
Not only must these items be recorded in the patient’s medical records, but they must also be discussed with the patient. This way, he is able to fully comprehend all the details of the scenario and get straight answers to any concerns that might have arisen.