Testimonial Consent Form Template – Everyone should have the ability to make informed decisions regarding their health. Medical procedures can be injurious, and patients must be able to determine the risks that are known to be present of their body, how it will be treated. So, before medical professionals are allowed to treat patients, they must be given the so-called informed consent.
Informed consent is a legal condition under which a patient is provided with a full and complete description of his or her physical health and the treatment suggested by the treating physician. After receiving this information patients must give the doctor their consent to treat before any form of care can be provided. Without informed consent from the patient, a health care provider is not permitted to offer treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain situations patients lack the knowledge to fully comprehend the options for treatment and the potential risks and benefits associated with each. In other cases patients may not be able to effectively communicate their decision to health professionals. In such situations the patient is said to lack the necessary capacity for decision-making. The family member, or court-appointed representative could then be able to give informed consent in lieu of the patient.
Patients who are strongly affected by their emotions, like anxiety or fear, for example could be classified as not having the capacity for decision-making. The patients who are unconscious can’t make decisions on independently, and other people are required to obtain consent instead.
Items in an Testimonial Consent Form Template
Certain elements are generally included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition/diagnosis
The treatment that is recommended by the physician who is acting
The risks and advantages associated with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments are readily offered, as are their potential risks and benefits
The risks and benefits that come with accepting no treatment whatsoever
The items should not only be recorded in the documentation But they also need to have a discussion with the patient. This way, he can fully comprehend the details of the situation and will be able to get immediate answers to any queries that might be arising.