Simple Consent Form – Everybody should be able to make informed decisions regarding their health. Medical treatments can be quite sensitive, so patients must be able to ultimately determine according to the known risks, how their bodies will be treated. Thus, before medical professionals can administer treatments to patients, they need to receive the so-called informed consent.
Informed consent constitutes a lawful condition under which a patient has been provided with a full and complete description of his or her physical state and the treatment recommended by the doctor in charge. Once this information is received the patient must sign a consent form with the doctor to treat prior to any form or treatment can be administered. Without informed consent from the patient, a health care provider is not permitted to offer treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In some instances, patients do not possess the ability to comprehend their options in terms of treatment and the risks/benefits associated with each. In some instances patients may not be able communicate their decision to health care professionals. In such situations the patient is considered to lack the appropriate capacity to make decisions. Family members or a court-appointed representative will then be permitted to provide informed consent instead.
Patients who are greatly influenced by their emotions, such as anxiety or fear for instance are deemed not possessing decision making capacity. The patients who are unconscious cannot make decisions on own, and outside parties require consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Simple Consent Form
Certain elements are included on all informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical conditions/diagnosis
The procedure recommended by the physician in charge
The benefits and risks associated with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments are readily available, as well as their risks and benefits
The risks and benefits associated with refusing any treatment at all
These details must not only be detailed in documentation They must also communicated with the person receiving the treatment. This way, he or will be able to comprehend the details of the situation and will receive immediate responses to any queries that might be arising.