Essay Example: Informed Consent Form: Patient Rights and Obligations

Introduction

The purpose of an informed consent form is to furnish a patient with sufficient information regarding the medical procedure they are about to go through. The informed consent form they are provided with is meant to be conclusive. There should be a description of the procedure the patient is going through. Their rights and obligations regarding authorizing the procedure that is about to be conducted should be specified. The patient needs to be aware of all the possible outcomes regarding the procedure. However, regarding the outcomes, there is no guarantee that the procedure will have a specified result. There is an estimate of how much time the procedure will take. In addition to the type of care needed during the procedure is conducted on the patient. Moreover, risks involved, and probable effects are highlighted in the form to guide the patient on whether to accept the medical procedure or not. Lastly, the patient must state that they have understood the contents of the informed consent form. If they have not, they must seek professional interpretation to enable them to understand better.

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Based on what I have learned about the Parent's Bill of Rights, the consent form adequately informs the patient about all their rights concerning the procedure. There is a description of all the material information concerning the procedure the patient is going to experience. It is based on the information that the patient is required to make a decision on the suitability of the terms and their health conditions. To enhance the patient's understanding of their rights, they have the option of involving a professional conversant with the medical procedure in the interpretation of the informed consent's information. When they are sufficiently satisfied with the specifics, they must accept the performance of the procedure. However, they are free to revoke permission at any time for their interests and preferences. That highlights the ability of the patient to practice the rights that are attached to the informed consent. Therefore, the informed consent form, in this case, addresses the patient's rights in the prescribed manner.

Understanding of informed consent specifications

The basic consent form for Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy is written in simple terms, for most of its contents. However, some contents cannot be simplified further. That is because there are no simpler terms to state the medical specifications that the form is meant to inform the patient. However, for the largest part, the form is tailored for the understanding of the average individual in society. That is because the patient is required to understand what they are prescribing to. That is meant to enable them to make an informed decision within their preferences and rights. However, the contents of the form cannot be understood by a typical 8th grader. The various medical, technical terms are not within their ability to understand with precision. To take care of an issue with a misunderstanding, there can be a professional or guardian, who will be tasked with the role of interpreting the specifications on behalf of the individual.

When an individual is not able to understand the rights and obligations attached to their consent, they cannot give a well-informed judgment. They will not be able to know whether the specifications will work within their preferences (Goldstein et al., 1996). Therefore, the medical procedure professional is tasked to explain to them or appoint someone else to make sure the patient understands the contents of the informed consent form. The basic consent form for Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy is not as simple as other minor typed of informed consent. When the patient faces any difficulty in understanding its contents, they are entitled to assistance. The point of the basic consent form for Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy is enabling the patient to understand their rights and the implications of the procedure. Therefore, when an individual, for example, an 8th grader, cannot understand the specifications, they can receive help to enable them to make an informed decision.

Steps for healthcare providers in patients' understanding and giving consent

There are various steps that healthcare providers can take to ensure patients understand their care and prepare them to give consent to a procedure. The aim of taking the steps is to ensure the patient understands the implications of the informed consent as well as their rights regarding the procedure to be taken. First, they should present the relevant information sensitively and accurately, considering the patient's preferences concerning the medical procedure (Richardson & Aveyard, 2003). The information to b included can be the diagnosis, risks and burdens and the purpose and nature of the intervention. All this should be done fairly to avoid skewing information towards a certain line of preference for the patient.

The second step is assessing the ability of the patient to understand the information presented to them. The understanding will enable the patient to make a decision that is within their interests and preferences. When they are unable to understand the information, the healthcare provider must make sure they receive sufficient help. When the help is received, the person should make sure that the final decision is solely within the patient's hands. There should be an absence of undue influence in guiding the patient on the type of decision to make. The third step is making sure that the patient receives all material information regarding the procedure. All material facts should be stated, which will guide them in making a conclusive decision. With the steps, the patient will be in a great position to understand the procedure and make a sound decision that is consistent with their interests.

Termination of care

The patient has the right to terminate the care they have with a healthcare professional, taking care of their interest and preferences. The consent that was earlier given about the medical procedure can be revoked at any time by the patient. The right is meant to ensure the preferences of the patient are well taken care of during, or before the medical procedure is conducted. There should be the practice of autonomy by the healthcare provider, whereby the preferences of the patient are respected as an individual. The patient should be given sufficient opportunity and time to decide their welfare, which is to be respected by the healthcare professional. In practice, the right to terminate the care requires adherence to the ethical principles of justice and beneficence.

There are various steps that a patient can take to terminate care; within their preferences. First is a review of the various guidelines to establish the implications of the termination. Next, is considering the medical association's guidance so that the laid down due procedure is followed. Review of contract policies with the healthcare professional is the next step, followed by sending a notification to the healthcare provider. Negotiation of specificities about receiving continued minor healthcare support and risk management is the next step. Lastly, working out the entire termination, considering the interests and welfare of the patient is done. The ethical principles that are considered include justice, autonomy, nonmaleficence and beneficence are considered (Richards & Rathbun, 1999). That is meant to protect the rights and welfare of all parties involved in terminating care.

References

Goldstein, A. O., Frasier, P., Curtis, P., Reid, A., & Kreher, N. E. (1996). Consent form readability in university-sponsored research. Journal of Family Practice, 42(6), 606-612. https://go.gale.com/ps/anonymous?id=GALE%7CA18448464&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=00943509&p=AONE&sw=w

Richardson, D., & Aveyard, H. (2003). The requirement for informed consent prior to nursing care procedures. Journal of Vascular Access Devices, 8(2), 56-56. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.1365-2648.2002.02084.x

Richards, E. P., & Rathbun, K. C. (1999). Medical care law. Jones & Bartlett Learning. https://books.google.co.ke/books?id=6FvwvJ-sJiAC&pg=PA197&lpg=PA197&dq=Patient-Initiated+Terminations&source=bl&ots=hjR9VZewL5&sig=ACfU3U1Vj-XaBKQVHU9XdMwzMig1W4oClw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj3v4aIppfqAhWdD2MBHV8vCiUQ6AEwE3oECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=Patient-Initiated%20Terminations&f=false