W2 Consent Form – Everyone should have the ability to make informed decisions about their medical care. The medical procedures can be invasive, so patients should be able, in the end, to decide, based on known risks, how their bodies will be treated. Thus, before medical professionals are permitted to administer treatments to patients, they must obtain the so-called informed consent.
The informed consent requirement is legal condition that requires that a patient be provided with specific information regarding his or her physical state as well as the treatment that is recommended by the treating physician. Once this information is received, the patient must be able to give the physician their consent to treat prior to any form of care can be offered. Without the patient’s informed consent, a health care provider is not allowed to provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In some instances patients don’t have the capabilities to fully understand their treatment options and the risks/benefits associated with each one. In other situations patients may not be able to effectively communicate their decision to health care professionals. In these situations, the patient is said to not possess adequate decision making capacity. A family member or court-appointed representative, can take over informed consent.
Patients who are influenced by their emotions – anxiety or fear, for example are deemed lacking the ability to make decisions. The patients who are unconscious cannot make decisions on alone, and external parties need to consent to treatment instead.
Items in an W2 Consent Form
There are certain elements that are common to all consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition/diagnosis
The treatment recommended by the doctor in charge
The risks and advantages associated with this treatment
Alternative treatments that are available, as well as their potential risks and benefits
The risks and benefits associated of refusing treatment whatsoever
These items must not only be detailed in documentation, but they must also be discussed with the patient. In this way, he or can fully comprehend the particulars of the case and will be able to get immediate answers to any issues that may arise.