Verbal Consent Form – Everybody should be able to make informed decisions about their health. The medical procedures can be sensitive, so patients must be able decide from the facts about risks, how their bodies will be treated. Thus, before medical professionals can provide treatment to patients they have to obtain the process of informed consent.
A patient’s informed consent can be a legally binding condition where a patient is provided with specific information regarding his or her physical health and the treatment suggested by the treating physician. Once this information is received the patient is required to provide the physician with consent to treat prior to any form of care can be offered. Without informed consent from the patient an health care professional is not allowed to provide treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In some cases patients may not have the capabilities to fully understand their options in terms of treatment and the benefits and risks associated with each one. In other circumstances patients might not be able to communicate their choices to health care professionals. Under these circumstances the patient is considered to lack the necessary capacity to make decisions. Family members or a court-appointed representative, will then be permitted to make informed consent on behalf of the patient.
Patients who are influenced by their emotions – anxiety or fear, as an example can be deemed to not having the capacity for decision-making. People who are not conscious cannot make decisions on own. Therefore, outside parties need to consent to treatment instead.
Items in an Verbal Consent Form
Certain elements are included on all informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition or diagnosis
The treatment recommended by the physician who is acting
The risks and advantages associated with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments are available, along with their risks and benefits
The dangers and advantages with accepting no treatment whatsoever
The items should not only be detailed in documentation however, they must discuss the situation with patients. This way, he can fully comprehend the details of the situation and receive direct responses to any issues that may arise.