Telemedicine Consent Form – Everyone should be able to make informed decisions regarding their medical care. Medical procedures can be risky, therefore patients should be able, in the end, to decide, based on known risks, how their bodies will be treated. Thus, before medical personnel can provide treatment to patients they must be given the process of informed consent.
Informed consent constitutes a lawful condition in which patients are provided with specific information regarding the physical condition and the treatment recommended by the physician who is acting as the patient’s physician. After receiving this information the patient must give the doctor their consent to treat before any form or treatment can be given. Without informed consent from the patient any health professional cannot provide treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain instances, patients do not possess the capabilities to fully understand their treatment options , as well as the potential risks and benefits associated with each one. In other circumstances, patients may not be able communicate their decision to health professionals. If this happens the patient is said to not possess adequate capacity to make decisions. Family members or a court-appointed representative, could then be able to perform informed consent instead.
Patients who are strongly affected by their emotions, such as anxiety or fear, for instance could be classified as not possessing decision making capacity. The ones who are asleep clearly cannot make decisions on their own, and outside parties are required to obtain consent instead.
Items in an Telemedicine Consent Form
There are certain elements that are generally included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical conditions/diagnosis
The treatment recommended by the physician who is acting
The benefits and risks associated with this procedure
Alternative treatments are also available, as well as their potential risks and benefits
The dangers and advantages with refusing any treatment whatsoever
The items should not only be recorded in the patient’s medical records But they also need to been discussed by the patient. This way, he or she will fully understand the details of the situation and can get direct answers to any issues that may arise.
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