Lack of Consent Flashcards
What do you need for consent?
Information, capacity, voluntariness and decision
Capacity: understand, retain, weigh, communicate
Should family views be taken into account?
Not if pt has capacity
If family members overbearing - may be cohered/ lose voluntariness therefore not valid consent
What to do if overbearing family and pt being cohered?
Best practice is to ask person to leave the surgery
What to do if pt has no capacity?
Work in best interest of patient
Wouldn’t be just your decision - need team (you, family, GP, carer)
What information do you contribute as part of team when no capacity?
Clinical expertise
What does it mean if someone has power of attorney?
Needs to be given when pt has capacity
They can make decisions on behalf of pt
Outcome for pt should be roughly the same no matter if power of attorney or team make decision
What should you be aware of with power attorney?
Can be financial or for health care - must ask to see certificate
Be wary of abuse of power
How to tx pt w/o capacity?
Provide management of disease - but keep tx to minimum
Relies on professional judgement - keep pt comfortable and manage disease
