What is informed consent? It is an important part of many medical procedures. However, there are still a lot of people who are unaware about its meaning and importance in the healthcare sector. In this process, all the details about a medical procedure are explained to a patient by the doctor or nurse, or healthcare provider before the patient gives his/her approval to undergo the treatment. It can help the patient in taking this opportunity to ask related questions and whether he/she wants to accept it or decline it. Onlymyhealth editorial team spoke to Dr. Nitendra Sesodia Senior Director Medical Communication & Corporate sales, Thieme, to know everything about informed consent.
Importance of informed consent
The main aim of making a patient sign an informed consent is for their own protection. This consent is legal and helps in ensuring that there is proper communication between the doctor and patient. The patient stays informed about the condition and its treatment. It makes the patient use the information to take a better decision or choice. The consent form contains all the information based on the diagnosis and treatment options taken in consideration by the doctor. The patient can ask questions and know more about all the other treatment options available. It works best when there is no single option available for the treatment for any condition.
It is nearly impossible to guarantee positive outcomes within a hospital or healthcare setting. However, with informed consent, patients have a clear understanding of the risks involvedinthe treatment being offered. When patients do agree to a specific treatment procedure, they must sign the informed consent form,understanding all the associated risks and agreeing to the fact that physicians take life-saving measures as and when required. Thus, this process reduces the risks for both, patients and doctors.
Requirements for informed consent
Proper execution of the process of informed consent is a legal and ethical obligation of healthcare providers. For this to happen in a healthcare or hospital setting, following are the key requirements:
- The patient’s ability to take a decision
- Proper explanation of the information required
- Patient’s understanding of the medical information
- Patient’s voluntary decision to receive the treatment
- These are the critical components of this collaborative decision-making process between the patient and the healthcare provider.
Situations that require informed consent
The following scenarios need a patient’s informed consent:
- Blood transfusions
- Most surgeries
- Radiation
- Anaesthesia
- Most vaccinations
- Chemotherapy
- Blood tests such as HIV testing
- Advanced medical tests such as biopsy
Informed Consent Vs. Implied Consent
Implied consent can be considered as a form of informed consent. Such consent is implied or suggested, by the actions of the patient. It isn’t explicitly written down or stated. For instance, when a patient has a fever and visits a healthcare provider, the visit suggests that the patient wants treatment. Implied consent is not as formal as informed consent. Implied consent doesn’t require to be legally recorded.
Also read: Surgery Is Safe For COVID-19 Patients: AIIMS Study
When Is Informed Consent Not Required?
Following are the scenarios when informed consent is not required:
- In case of an emergency when the patient is unconscious and there are chances of death or other serious outcomes if urgent medical care is not provided right away.
- If a doctor knows that the patient is distressed and will refuse required treatment, the physician may not be required to get informed consent from the patient. In addition, if a doctorbelieves that the details of a procedure will make a physically weak patient sick with anxiety, he/she may choose to withhold some information. However, the doctor must demonstrate why the risks of the procedure were not disclosed to the patient.