What Is A Parental Consent Form – Everybody should be able to make informed decisions regarding their medical care. The medical procedures can be risky, therefore patients should be able to ultimately determine, based on known risks, how their bodies will be treated. So, before medical professionals are allowed to operate on patients, they need to receive the process of informed consent.
The informed consent requirement is legal requirement that requires that a patient be given a complete and accurate description of his or her physical health and the recommended treatment by the acting physician. After receiving this information patients must offer the physician consent to treat prior to any form or treatment can be given. Without the patient’s informed consent health care professional is not allowed to provide treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain situations, patients do not possess the knowledge to fully comprehend the options for treatment and the risks and benefits that come with each one. In other instances, patients may not be able communicate their choices to health care professionals. Under these circumstances it is believed that the patient to lack the necessary capacity to make decisions. Family members or a court-appointed representative, can take over informed consent.
Patients who are strongly affected by their emotions, such as anxiety or fear for instance could be classified as not able to make decisions. The ones who are asleep clearly are unable to make decisions on their own, and outside parties require consent for treatment instead.
Items in an What Is A Parental Consent Form
Certain elements are common to all consent forms:
The patient’s medical diagnosis/condition
The treatment suggested by the physician who is acting
The risks and benefits that come with this treatment
Alternative treatments that are available, along with their benefits and risks
The dangers and advantages with refusing treatment whatsoever
These items must not only be detailed in documentation, but they must also discuss the situation with patients. This way, he is able to fully comprehend what is happening and will be able to get immediate answers to any issues that may be arising.