Written Consent Form To Travel Abroad – Everybody should be able to make informed decisions about their health. Treatments for medical conditions can be risky, therefore patients should be able, in the end, to decide the risks that are known to be present, 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.
Informed consent is a legal requirement under which a patient is informed of his or her physical state and the recommended treatment by the treating physician. Once this information is received the patient must offer the physician consent to treat prior to any form of treatment is delivered. Without the patient’s informed consent, a health care provider is not permitted to offer treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain instances patients don’t have the knowledge to fully comprehend their options in terms of treatment and the potential risks and benefits associated with each one. In other instances, patients may not be able communicate their decision to health care professionals. In these situations patients are said not to possess the proper capacity for decision-making. If a family member is not present, or court-appointed representative can perform informed consent instead.
Patients who are greatly influenced by their emotions – such as anxiety or fear, for example can be deemed to not having the capacity for decision-making. Those who are unconscious clearly cannot make decisions on independent of themselves, so outsiders must provide consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Written Consent Form To Travel Abroad
Certain elements are included on all informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical diagnosis/condition
The treatment suggested by the doctor in charge
The risks and the benefits associated with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments are readily available, as well as their risks and benefits
The potential risks and rewards with refusing any treatment at all
These items must not only be documented They must also be discussed with the patient. This way, he or she will fully understand the particulars of the case and receive direct responses to any questions that may arise.