Veterinary Consent Form Template – Everybody should be able to make informed decisions regarding their health. Treatments for medical conditions can be sensitive, so patients must be able to decide in light of known risks that their bodies should be treated. So, before medical professionals are allowed to provide treatment to patients they need to receive what is known as informed consent.
The informed consent requirement is legal requirement in which patients are provided with detailed information about the condition of their body and the treatment suggested by the physician in charge. Once this information is received patients must provide the physician with consent to treat prior to any form of care can be delivered. Without the patient’s informed consent, a health care provider cannot provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In some instances patients may not have the capabilities to fully understand their treatment options and the risks/benefits of each one. In other situations patients might not be able to communicate their choices to health professionals. In such situations patients are said not to possess the proper capacity for decision-making. If a family member is not present, or court appointed representative in this case, can take over informed consent.
Patients who are strongly affected by their emotions – anxiety or fear, as an example they could be judged as not having the capacity to make decisions. Patients who are in the state of unconscious cannot make decisions on their independently, and other people need to consent to treatment instead.
Items in an Veterinary Consent Form Template
Certain elements are commonly included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition or diagnosis
The recommended treatment is suggested by the physician in charge
The benefits and risks associated with this procedure
Alternative treatments are offered, as are their risks and benefits
The potential risks and rewards with refusing treatment whatsoever
These items must not only be documented however, they must have a discussion with the patient. This way, he can be fully aware of the details of the situation and get straight answers to any issues that may be arising.