Quality Care

 
 

Informed Consent

 “Informed consent is the agreement or permission accompanied by full notice about the care, treatment, or service that is the subject of consent.” 

The Joint Commission. 2016. Comprehensive Accreditation Manual glossary. 

En Español | There are two types of informed consent.

1.     Provider-centered informed consent: Protects the medical provider from any liability for failure to inform the patient before invading his/her body.

2.     Patient-centered inform consent: When given a treatment, especially one that involves risk, you are required to be given an “informed consent”, which means that, after having received sufficient information (including benefits and risks) you can make a decision and agree to the procedure or treatment suggested by your physician for your medical condition. An informed consent sample can be found here.

Your Physician Should:

  • Discuss your treatment options, the standard procedure, and the risks and benefits of each treatment in a language you can understand.

  • Explain what are his/her reasons for choosing the proposed treatment.

  • Outline all the different options available, explaining risks and benefits of each. 

  • What are the risks and benefits of not doing nothing.

Your Guide to Provide an Informed Consent:

Understand what is happening to you and get to know your options.

The following questions may help guide your decision-making process before signing the informed consent form. 

  • If an invasive procedure is recommended, how will the procedure change my treatment plan?

  • Is the recommendation based in Evidence-Based guidelines? 

  • What kind of harm could I experience if we decide on watchful waiting?

  • How many times the doctor has performed the procedure? 

  • Who will perform the procedure and how will trainees or assistants be involved?

  • What are the potential consequences, and how often do they occur?

  • If you choose to have the procedure, request to have it on a day that does not immediately follow a night when your doctor was on call.

  • If you do the procedure what will the recovery be like? Will your lifestyle be restricted? What are the chances you will have lasting pain?

  • What drugs will be prescribed after the procedure? Know the side effects.

  • What drugs will be prescribed if we don’t do the procedure? Know the side effects. A list of common side effects can be found here.

    Remember: 

  • You always have the right to ask for a second opinion. 

  • Make a Shared-Decision together with your medical provider, one that will align with your values and preferences, culture and traditions. 

  • Know what you are consenting for: To give an informed consent means that you agree with the treatment that will be provided, and all what it might imply. Please read it carefully.

Resources

The Joint Commission

Know your rights as a patient.