Informed consent is the delivery of information from a doctor or nurse to a patient before a medical action is taken. This is important because every patient has the right to know the risks and benefits of the medical procedure he or she will undergo.
Almost everyone has been sick and requires certain medical actions or treatment, such as surgery or surgery. However, before any medical action is taken, the doctor will explain in advance the steps, benefits, and risks of the medical procedure.
After getting an explanation from the doctor and understanding it, the patient can decide to agree to the recommended medical treatment or refuse it. This is what is called informed consent. In some countries, informed consent also play an important role in the euthanasia procedure.
Why Informed Consent Important?
As is informed consent In a clear and good manner, the patient will understand all the benefits and risks as well as the goals of the treatment that will be given by the doctor, including the level of success of the action or therapy.
This is important to prevent misunderstandings by patients who often perceive an action as malpractice if the results are not as expected.
In a clinic, health center, or hospital, informed consent will usually be requested in a written form or sheet that includes:
- Patient and doctor identity
- Name of disease or information regarding the patient's diagnosis or medical condition
- The type of examination or treatment procedure recommended or to be performed by the doctor
- The risks and benefits of the medical procedure that will be carried out
- Risks and benefits of alternative courses of action, including not choosing the procedure
- Estimated cost of medical procedures and treatment
- Expectations of healing or success rate of action or therapy
After the patient reads and agrees informed consent, meaning the patient:
- Receive all information about the choice of procedures and treatment that will be given by the doctor
- Understand the information provided and have the opportunity to ask questions
- Decide whether to follow the recommended treatment steps or refuse the action
If the patient agrees to undergo medical treatment from the doctor, either for the purpose of examination or treatment, the doctor or nurse will ask the patient to sign a letter informed consent which expresses the agreement.
However, if the patient refuses, the doctor or nurse can also ask the patient to sign a letter informed consent which states that the patient does not agree to undergo medical treatment and understands the consequences of his choice.
When Informed Consent Given?
ideally, informed consent given before medical action is carried out, especially high-risk procedures. Some medical procedures that generally require informed consent of the patient are:
- Administration of anesthesia or anesthesia
- Blood transfusion and blood donation
- Radiation therapy or radiotherapy and chemotherapy
- Wound suturing
- Immunization
- Psychological medical examination
- Certain investigations, such as biopsy, bone marrow aspiration, lumbar puncture, and HIV or VCT . test
- Organ donation and acceptance procedures
However, in an emergency, informed consent can be given after a medical action is carried out, for example in emergency cases in the hospital emergency room. This is to prevent delays in patient handling which can lead to disability or even death.
Beyond the purpose of diagnosis or treatment, informed consent It is also requested when the patient is about to take part in clinical research on the effectiveness of a drug or vaccine.
Can Informed Consent Be Represented?
Informed consent generally given to patients who are legally mature (age 18 years or older), can understand the doctor's explanations well, are fully aware, and have a healthy mental condition.
If deemed unable to decide informed consent, patients can be represented. The following are some of the conditions when informed consent can be represented:
Underage patient
For young patients, such as infants and children, or adolescents under the age of 18, consent informed consent can be represented by a parent or guardian.
Impossible conditions
For patients with conditions of loss of consciousness, such as fainting or coma, so that it is not possible to give an explanation or ask for their opinion, consent informed consent can be represented by their family or guardian.
This also applies to patients with thinking disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease or mental disorders.
When consulting a doctor, remember to ask for as complete an explanation as possible regarding the diagnosis of the disease, advice on treatment or medical action, as well as the risks and benefits of the treatment steps that will be taken.
Before deciding to undergo treatment, understand all the risks and benefits of the action you are about to take, as well as the consequences if you don't undergo the action. If you understand the doctor's explanation, you can agree or reject the action via email informed consent.