Under 18 Parental Consent Form – Everyone should be able to make informed choices about their healthcare. Medical treatments can be demanding, and therefore patients should be able decide in light of known risks and the way their bodies will be treated. So, before medical professionals are permitted to provide treatment to patients they must be given what is known as informed consent.
A patient’s informed consent can be a legally binding requirement where a patient is informed of his or her physical health as well as the treatment that is recommended by the treating physician. After receiving this information the patient is required to provide the physician with consent to treat prior to any form of treatment can be administered. Without the patient’s informed consent, a health care provider cannot offer treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain situations patients lack the skills to comprehend their options regarding treatment, and the potential risks and benefits associated with each. In other situations patients might not be able communicate their decision to health care professionals. When this occurs the patient is said to lack the appropriate capacity for decision-making. A family member 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 – may be determined as lacking the ability to make decisions. Those who are unconscious clearly can’t make decisions on alone, and external parties must provide consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Under 18 Parental Consent Form
Certain elements are commonly included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition/diagnosis
The treatment suggested by the medical professional in charge
The risks and advantages associated with this method of treatment
There are alternative treatments offered, as are their risks and benefits
The benefits and risks associated with accepting no treatment whatsoever
Not only should these details be documented However, they should also communicated with the person receiving the treatment. This way, he or is able to fully comprehend all the details of the scenario and will be able to get immediate answers to any concerns that might arise.