Special Consent Form – Every person should be able to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare. Medical treatments can be quite sensitive, so patients must be able, in the end, to decide, based on known risks and the way their bodies will be treated. Thus, before medical personnel can administer treatments to patients, they must obtain the process of informed consent.
Informed consent is a legal condition in which patients are given a complete and accurate description of his or her physical health and the recommended treatment by the treating physician. After receiving this information, the patient must give the doctor their consent to treat before any form of care is given. Without informed consent from the patient any health professional cannot provide treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In some cases the patients aren’t equipped with the capabilities to fully understand the options for treatment and the benefits and risks associated with each. In other instances patients might not be able communicate their choices to health care professionals. In such situations, the patient is said not to have adequate capacity for decision-making. An individual from the family or court-appointed representative then, is allowed to take over informed consent.
Patients who are strongly affected by their emotions, such as anxiety or fear, for instance are deemed not having the capacity for decision-making. The patients who are unconscious cannot take decisions on their alone, and external parties require consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Special Consent Form
There are certain elements that are commonly included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical diagnosis/condition
The treatment that is recommended by the physician in charge
The risks and advantages associated with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments are also offered, as are their benefits and risks
The risks and benefits that come with not accepting any treatment at all
The items should not only be documented in a written document however, they must be discussed with the patient. In this way, he or can fully comprehend the details of the situation and will be able to get immediate answers to any questions that have arisen.
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