For some people, a trip to the doctor’s office can be a very stressful experience, especially if they have no idea what they are suffering from. When you gather the courage and walk into the doctor’s office, you hope they have the skills and qualifications to attend to you so you can recover and get back on your feet. And this is what happens most of the time.
However, every treatment procedure comes with a certain degree of risk. As such, your doctor has a duty to inform you of what you should expect during and after the treatment. Additionally, they are required to obtain your consent before proceeding with the treatment plan. This is known as informed consent.
Understanding informed consent
Informed consent is the conversation you have with your doctor before undergoing any cosmetic or medical procedure. During this session, the healthcare provider will explain the procedure as well as its merits and demerits. They will also allow you to ask any questions or raise any concerns you might have. Once you agree to the procedure, you will need to sign a form consenting to the procedure in question. If you develop complications following a medical procedure that you did not consent to, you may pursue a medical malpractice claim against the healthcare provider.
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for the healthcare provider to make the following mistakes while obtaining your consent to proceed with the procedure:
- Use non-standard forms that do not clearly explain the procedure or that have vague legal protection.
Before following through with a medical procedure, you need to know what you are getting into. If you sustain injuries or complications following a procedure that you did not approve of or you did not understand, you may be eligible for damages through a medical malpractice claim.