Why is informed consent an important patient right? check all of the boxes that apply.

Three key elements (Page 1 of 2)

For consent to be considered valid:

  • it must be voluntary
  • the patient must have the mental capacity to consent
  • the patient must be properly informed

Why is informed consent an important patient right? check all of the boxes that apply.

  • Patients must be free to consent to or refuse treatment.
  • Consent should be obtained without duress or coercion.

Why is informed consent an important patient right? check all of the boxes that apply.
Case: A patient brought by the police

Why is informed consent an important patient right? check all of the boxes that apply.

Background

The police bring a man from the airport customs to an emergency department and request that you do the appropriate examinations to determine if the man is trafficking in cocaine. The police suspect he has swallowed the drugs in condoms. Your patient does not give consent for the examinations.

Why is informed consent an important patient right? check all of the boxes that apply.

Think about it

As the emergency physician, what is the best next step?

Why is informed consent an important patient right? check all of the boxes that apply.

Suggestions

In this case, the physician should explain the grave risks if a condom containing cocaine ruptures internally. The patient might then consent to examination.

In these types of circumstances, physicians should be more careful than usual to assure themselves the patient is in full agreement with what has been suggested, that there has been no coercion (for example, by exaggerating the risks of consenting or of refusing) and that no one else has imposed their will on the patient.

Why is informed consent an important patient right? check all of the boxes that apply.
Case: A 55-year-old man scheduled for colonoscopy

Why is informed consent an important patient right? check all of the boxes that apply.

Background

A gastroenterologist meets a patient for the first time immediately before a screening colonoscopy. He describes the list of potential risks for colonoscopy and requests the patient sign the consent form before proceeding.

Why is informed consent an important patient right? check all of the boxes that apply.

Think about it

Is the patient consenting voluntarily?

Why is informed consent an important patient right? check all of the boxes that apply.

Suggestions

Ideally the patient would be provided information about the nature and risks of an investigation as early as possible in the process. While timing is important when engaging in a consent discussion — especially for an elective procedure — the practical realities of providing care to all patients in an efficient way may make this difficult.

In this case, the patient has already made the decision to undergo the procedure and has completed the required preparation. Despite this, the patient is entitled to engage in a full discussion and should not be made to feel obliged to continue with the investigation.

Why is informed consent an important patient right? check all of the boxes that apply.

A patient is considered to have the capacity to consent if he or she understands the:

  • nature of the proposed investigation or treatment
  • anticipated effect of the proposed treatment and alternatives
  • consequences of refusing treatment

Patient understanding

  • Take reasonable steps to be satisfied the patient comprehends the consent discussion.

Physicians have a duty to take reasonable steps to be relatively satisfied their patients have received the appropriate information, particularly when there may be language difficulties, emotional issues, or questions of mental function.

By engaging in dialogue with the patient, a physician will be reasonably confident that the patient appears to understand the explanation of consent. One way to achieve such confidence is the teach-back technique: asking the patient to re-phrase what they have just been told and inviting the patient to ask questions. However, what constitutes "reasonable steps" will depend on the facts and circumstances of the particular situation.

As appropriate, a physician may wish to encourage a patient to invite a family member or friend to attend the discussion.

Patients who refuse treatment

  • A capable patient has a right to refuse to follow the advice given.

Why is informed consent an important patient right? check all of the boxes that apply.
Case: A patient with skin cancer

Why is informed consent an important patient right? check all of the boxes that apply.

Background

Mr. Jones, a successful tax accountant, has been diagnosed with an invasive melanoma. His dermatologist wishes to excise the cancer as soon as possible. Despite being informed of the risks, Mr. Jones insists on delaying the surgery by four months so he can continue to work during his busiest time of year.

Why is informed consent an important patient right? check all of the boxes that apply.

Think about it

What is the dermatologist's next step?

Why is informed consent an important patient right? check all of the boxes that apply.

Suggestions

Even when faced with an serious operable cancerous lesion and the strong likelihood of a good surgical outcome, a mentally capable patient may instead choose a less effective treatment than what is recommended, despite a thorough discussion of the risks and benefits of surgery. This is the patient's right.

Mr. Jones should be told about the consequences of leaving the condition untreated. Although there should be no coercion (i.e., unduly frightening patients who refuse treatment), the courts now recognize there is an obligation to inform patients about the potential consequences of refusing treatment.

Why is informed consent an important patient right? check all of the boxes that apply.

Suggestions continued

The dermatologist may wish to advise the patient to discuss with  his family about the decision to delay the surgery. If the patient persists in wanting to delay the surgery, consultation with a colleague for a second opinion may be helpful.

Minors

  • Except in the province of Québec, the criterion for capacity to consent is maturity, not chronological age.
  • A child must be able to appreciate the nature and consequences of their decision.
  • Report to child protection authorities

    Child protection authorities:  The agencies in each province or territory charged with the protection and welfare of children, having the ability to intervene to protect children from harm.

     if a parent/guardian refuses medically necessary treatment.
  • In Québec, the parent/guardian must consent if the child is under the age of 14.

Why is informed consent an important patient right? check all of the boxes that apply.
Case: A request from a youth

Why is informed consent an important patient right? check all of the boxes that apply.

Background

A 14-year-old girl comes to see you to ask for a prescription for birth control pills. You find her to be very mature and sensibly wanting protection.

Why is informed consent an important patient right? check all of the boxes that apply.

Think about it

Can this youth consent to treatment or must her parents be involved?

Why is informed consent an important patient right? check all of the boxes that apply.

Outcome

Yes, this youth can consent to treatment. If, in the physician's judgment, the patient is a mature minor the physician cannot inform the parents without the patient's consent.

A young person is considered capable of consenting or refusing treatment (i.e. a mature minor) if the physical, mental, and emotional development of the person will allow for a full appreciation of the nature and consequences of the decision.

Only Québec has established a fixed age of 14 years, below which the parent or guardian or the court must consent to the proposed treatment.

Generally, a capable minor would need to consent to the involvement of parents in healthcare decisions. Depending on the nature of the medical condition and the complexity of any proposed treatment, it is often prudent to stress the importance of involving the parents, and to obtain permission to do so.

Why is informed consent an important patient right? check all of the boxes that apply.
Case: A conflict with the parents of a child

Why is informed consent an important patient right? check all of the boxes that apply.

Background

Ann, who is eight years old, presents with polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia, and weight loss over the past two months. You diagnose Type 1 diabetes based on her blood glucose.

Ann requires insulin therapy; however her parents refuse, believing she can be managed with diet and a new herbal remedy they have read about. What should you do?

Why is informed consent an important patient right? check all of the boxes that apply.

Think about it

What should you do?

Why is informed consent an important patient right? check all of the boxes that apply.

Suggestion

A parent or guardian is required to act in the best interests of the child. If medically necessary treatment is refused, the doctor is obliged to report the matter to the child protection authorities.

Child protection authorities:  The agencies in each province or territory charged with the protection and welfare of children, having the ability to intervene to protect children from harm.

Life threatening situations

If life or limb are in danger and the patient is unable to consent and the substitute decision maker is not immediately available, a doctor has a duty to:

  • Do what is immediately necessary.
  • Respect any known previous wishes of the patient.
  • Obtain consent as soon as reasonably possible.

Why is informed consent an important patient right? check all of the boxes that apply.
Case: Life-threatening injury requiring immediate treatment

Why is informed consent an important patient right? check all of the boxes that apply.

Background

While on vacation, a young woman who is hiking in the woods is attacked by a bear. She is brought to the emergency department unconscious with extensive blood loss. No substitute decision maker is available.

Why is informed consent an important patient right? check all of the boxes that apply.

Think about it

Can you treat her to save her life without her consent?

Why is informed consent an important patient right? check all of the boxes that apply.

Lesson learned

Yes. In an emergency when the patient or substitute decision maker cannot consent the physician may proceed if there is demonstrable severe suffering or an imminent threat to the life or health of the patient.

An important patient right is informed consent. This means that if you need a treatment, your health care provider must give you the information you need to make a decision. Many hospitals have patient advocates who can help you if you have problems.
Why is informed consent an important patient right? Informed consent makes sure a patient receives valuable information about the benefits and negative side effects of a particular medical treatment. Informed consent helps patients make decisions about the types of medical treatments they agree to.
Obtaining informed consent in medicine is process that should include: (1) describing the proposed intervention, (2) emphasizing the patient's role in decision-making, (3) discussing alternatives to the proposed intervention, (4) discussing the risks of the proposed intervention and (5) eliciting the patient's ...
the patient giving consent must have capacity • the consent must be freely given • the consent must be sufficiently specific to the procedure or treatment proposed • the consent must be informed.