Informed Consent

Informed consent refers to a process of obtaining permission before carrying out any healthcare intervention on a patient or before disclosure sensitive personal details. In contemporary life, the healthcare providers have a tendency of requiring the patients to sign a form to show they have agreed to obtain the specified medical care. Still, the clinical researchers are also the participants to consent to contribute their views regarding the topic at hand or agree to take part during the clinical trial. As a matter of fact, the informed consent is essential since it indicates that the entities or individuals involved in a given activity have understood or they appreciate the consequence, implications, and facts concerning a given action. 

There are numerous factors that make me feel that it is essential to discuss the informed consent with the governing body. For instance, I have realized that it is stressful to visit a healthcare sector without people worrying that they can leave the hospital being worse than before. To illustrate, the increased number of cases where the patient are provided with wrong prescription or physicians utilizing unprofessional tactics proves the need of involving the patient during the medical process. In general, the notion of obtaining informed consent is an indication that the patient has accepted to undergo a certain procedure or treatment after fully understanding the alternative treatments, risks, and benefits of the intended medical intervention. Besides, the informed consent ascertains that even if there might be a certain level of risk concerning a certain procedure, it will be up for the patient to decide if the danger linked with the medication is acceptable. 

There are several ethical rights and duties that the hospital should consider as far as informed consent is concerned. For instance, the physicians should always respect the client’s moral right regarding bodily integrity, self-determination on matters relating to reproduction and sexuality. Moreover, the nurses should support the client’s freedom to come up with the decision while still promoting effectual and effective relationships with the patients. Due to the fact that legal and ethical requirement are not equal, the clinicians are supposed to familiarize themselves with state and federal prerequisites for the informed consent. Conversely, all the above guidelines focus on ensuring that the medical officers do not go against the patient’s will. 

However, there are numerous instances when the hospital workforce or the hospital itself may consider being civilly or criminally liable for breaching the informed consent. First, the healthcare workers may negligently fail to involve the patients during the process of making a decision regarding their treatment, a thing that in turn contribute to adverse implications. Second, the physicians may intentionally avoid telling the patients about the risks associated with a certain clinical intervention, but this process thereafter brings about more health complication to the attended patients. In addition, the healthcare givers may also prescribe the right drugs or medicine for a given disease, but they fail to inquire from the client whether he or she is fitted for the given medication. In such case, the physicians will be held liable of all the adverse effects of the provided medication or intervention. 

Indeed, there are suitable ways that can reduce and prevent instances of breaching the informed consent. To illustrate, the healthcare givers should be educated about the essence of involving the patients in the process of making medical-based decisions. Moreover, the clinical officers should also be aware of their responsibilities and duties relating to the use of informed consent. On the other hand, the patients must also be educated about the incidences where the physicians do not have to seek their views concerning the medical intervention. As a matter of fact, the above guidelines are useful in promoting effectual interaction between the patients and physicians. 

In addition, the hospital should utilize effective tactics in order to successfully implement informed consent- based method or resolution into its corporate structure. At this point, the healthcare sector must have a concise and clear explanation about the purpose of signing the informed consent form. Moreover, the physicians should offer patients with a comprehensive explanation about things that will be taking place during the medical intervention. Furthermore, the nurses should inform clients about the potential benefits, discomforts, side effects and risks associated with a given treatment. Conversely, these guidelines will aid hospital to implement informed consent in an effective and efficient manner.

In conclusion, the resolution concerning the informed consent will be accompanied by several advantages. First, the above strategy ascertains that the patients are satisfied with the decision made by the physicians since they are consulted during the medical intervention. Second, this tactic will help to reduce the conflict between the healthcare givers and patients since both parties will be completely aware of the rights, duties, and responsibilities. In addition, the above criteria will improve health care services through reducing instances where physicians offer wrong prescriptions because of failing to consult their patients. Based on the above information, I would advise the healthcare officers and patients to make use of informed consent during complex medical interventions. 

References

Escobedo, C., Guerrero, J., Lujan, G., Ramirez, A., & Serrano, D. (2007). Ethical issues with informed consent. Elizabeth Zubiate, 8(1), 1-44.

Lidz, C. W. (2012). Informed consent and the clinician-client relationship [English and Spanish versions]. Psychiatry Information in Brief, 9(6), 1.

Nijhawan, L. P., Janodia, M. D., Muddukrishna, B. S., Bhat, K. M., Bairy, K. L., Udupa, N., & Musmade, P. B. (2013). Informed consent: Issues and challenges. Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research, 4(3), 134.

Sisakht, A. M., Ziarati, N. K., Kouchak, F., & Askarian, M. (2015). Adherence to informed consent standards in Shiraz hospitals: Matrons’ perspective. International Journal of Health Policy and Management, 4(1), 13.