Sexual Consent Form – Every person should be able to make informed choices about their medical care. Medical procedures can be invasive, so patients should be able decide the risks that are known to be present of their body, how it will be treated. Thus, before medical professionals are permitted to administer treatments to patients, they must receive the so-called informed consent.
A patient’s informed consent can be a legally binding requirement under which a patient has been provided with a full and complete description of his or her physical condition and the treatment suggested by the acting physician. After receiving this information the patient has to provide the physician with consent to treat before any form of treatment is provided. Without informed consent from the patient health care professional is not permitted to offer treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain situations patients lack the knowledge to fully comprehend the options for treatment and the risks and benefits that come with each. In some instances, patients may not be able to effectively convey their preferences to health care professionals. In such situations the patient is said not to possess the proper decision making capacity. A family member or court appointed representative then, is allowed to provide informed consent instead.
Patients that are strongly influenced by their emotions – anxiety or fear, for instance – may be determined as not having the capacity for decision-making. People who are not conscious can’t make decisions on independent of themselves, so outsiders must provide consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Sexual Consent Form
There are certain elements that are commonly included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition/diagnosis
The recommended treatment is suggested by the acting physician
The risks and benefits associated with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments are also available, as well as their potential risks and benefits
The risks and benefits that come with refusing treatment at all
Not only must these items be recorded in the patient’s medical records however, they must have a discussion with the patient. This way, he or can be fully aware of what is happening and will be able to get immediate answers to any questions that have arisen.