Consent Flashcards
What is consent?
Consent to treatment means a person must give permission before they receive any type of medical treatment, test or examination
What are the different expressions of consent?
Implied or verbal agreement for non-invasive treatments e.g. blood pressure, ECG
Express consent for minor or routine investigations e.g. blood letting, intravenous access, ABG
Written consent for procedures that involve higher risk e.g. surgical intervention
What is informed consent?
The patient/individual should be informed of the practicalities of procedure, benefits/risks of procedure and benefits/risks if procedure not done or refusal of treatment
How is consent obtained?
You must:
- Listen to patients and respect their views about their health
- Discuss with patients their diagnosis, prognosis and treatment
- Share with the patient the information they want or need in order to make decisions
- Maximise patients’ opportunities and their ability to make decisions for themselves (autonomy)
- Respect patients’ decisions
What is Capacity?
Patients who have capacity (who can understand, believe, retain and weigh the necessary information) can make their own decisions to refuse treatment, even if those decisions appear irrational to the doctor or may place the patient’s health or their life at risk
What are obstacles to capacity?
Impaired intellectual/mental capacity
Intoxication (drugs or alcohol)
Unconsciousness
Communication difficulties-hearing impaired, mute, language
Age
What act governs making decisions about treatment and care for patients who lack capacity in Scotland?
Adults with Incapacity Act 2000
In England and Wales it’s the ‘Mental Capacity Act 2005’
What is a Power of attorney?
This is a means by which individuals, whilst they have capacity, can grant someone they trust powers to act as their continuing (financial) and/or welfare attorney
One or more persons can be appointed
What are ways to deal with communication difficulties?
Next of kin
Braille information leaflets/consent form
Sign language
Interpreter via telephone or in person
What is Gillick competence?
Children under the age of 16 can consent to their own treatment if they’re believed to have enough intelligence, competence and understanding to fully appreciate what’s involved in their treatment
What are the Fraser guidelines?
The Fraser guidelines refer to the guidelines set out by Lord Fraser in his judgment of the Gillick case in the House of Lords (1985), which apply specifically to contraceptive advice
