Hi, need to submit a 1250 words essay on the topic Informed Consent.Download file to see previous pages... To enable the readers to have a better understanding with regards to the limitations of paren

Hi, need to submit a 1250 words essay on the topic Informed Consent.

To enable the readers to have a better understanding with regards to the limitations of parents' rights to access a child's medical records, the researcher will discuss the general information on parents' rights to access a child's medical record. Prior to the conclusion, the researcher will discuss a teaching plan for parents.

One of the benefits of informed consent is that each patient will have the right to know the specific treatment, care or physical examination that will be given to him/her by the health care professionals. In case the patient is still a minor, health care professionals should not only inform the minor patients about the treatment and care but also the patient's parents or guardian.

In the case of a consenting adult, the patient will have the right to decide for his/her own preferred care and treatment regardless of whether the patients' decision may or may not cause detriment towards his/her own health. For instance, each patient has the right to voluntarily provide an advanced written statement with regards to his/her preferred care or treatment during the time he/she is still mentally capable to decide for himself. (DOH, 2001b: p. 4) To avoid having to deal with legal problems (DOH, 2001a: pp. 10 - 11), health care professionals are required to acknowledge the patient's advanced statement in case the patient suddenly loses his/her mental capability to decide for himself/herself. The good thing about the informed consent and advance statement is that the patient's decision will still prevail even at the time the patient is no longer mentally capable to decide for himself.

In case the patient has been clinically proven to be mentally incapable of being informed or make his/her own decision with regards to his/her preferred care and treatment, the health care professionals should personally inform the patient's immediate family members or a close relative with regards to the treatment procedures, purpose of the treatment, consequences attached with the treatment/care or even the danger of allowing the patient to undergo a specific treatment. (DOH, 2001a: p.6. DOH, 2001b: p. 3, 6)

Upon making the patient's family members or relatives to decide on behalf of the patient, health and social care professionals should be present or be involved at the time the family members or relatives will make the decision. (DOH, 2001b: p.