what is informed consent and how is it obtained?

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hi
what is your opinion on informed consent in podiatry?

How can it be best obtained from the patient?

What is the legal weight of informed consent?

I would value your opinions

thanks
in advance
Anthony

 

Anthony,

having been on a course on consent run by top lawyer Andrew Andrews, to cut a very long story short,

we do not obtain "informed consent" that is an Americansim.

we obtain effective consent for nail cutting, callous reduction. By coming into the treatment room, taking of their shoes/socks, they are giving "implied consent" and that is sufficient for that.

with regards to nail surgery, needling, anything that involves a needle, we must obtain consent in writing and that consent form MUST include the most frequently occurring risks[/B]. it does not have to list every risk. to do that you would literally have to do a google search to find out every adverse event that has occurred to that day.

The Americans obtain informed consent which is why their consent forms are so long apparently.

 

This subject has already been fully covered on this site !

 

oh
I see wont ask again !
thanks

 

Don't be sorry, I was pleased to be reminded again

 

funny my dentist never asked for consent when he gives me an L/A?
seems dental consent is different from podiatry.


Ed

 

Anthony,
Briefly,

Consent must be valid - ie
The consenting in person must have capacity
The consenting person must be given and understnd the relevent information.
The consent must be given without coercion.


Consent may be -

Implied

The pt has requested t/ment and presumably is willing to have that treatment.

Verbal,

You explain what the treatment involves and the patient says "OK - go ahead"

Written,
You explain what the treatment involves ( + and - ) and the patient says "OK - go ahead" in front of a witness. ( Pt must be made aware of the possibilty of regrowth with pna & tna and how the practitioner will deal with that, should it occur.)

For LA consent should be written and the patient must understnd the nature of the LA, the consequences of not using it, the nature of the proposed procedure and the dressings and aftercare regime.

Check the Gillick Competency/Fraser Guidelines for more info.


The patient and a witness sign their agreement and the patient gets the top copy of the consent form.

 

Thanks
very well explained and helpful.
When working in the NHS Documentation is part of procedures and policy.
When working privately I follow socp guidelines for best practice as my indemnity insurance.

Recent debate in one of my NHS jobs was around consent for debridement in ulcerated patients.
What is you opinion of the need for this

good info

Thanks Anthony:good:

 

Hi Anthony,
I agree that if you are an SCP Member you should follow their guidelines.

Why would you need consent? If they are there in the clinic with a hole in their foot I am sure they want it healed and I would hope they would engage with the treatment plan.

I no longer do NHS Diabetic Clinics so perhaps someone in that field can advise as to what the new protocols are. (But there again, they could vary from Trust to Trust).

P