CONSENT

Consent- Diversity Issue in Nursing Care



Consent- Diversity Issue in Nursing Care

Introduction

This paper discusses one of the diversity issue in the health care sector. The reason behind discussing the consent issue in healthcare sector specially in the fields of adults and child nursing is because in nursing professionals have a greater role in evaluating whether the consent is informed or not than they might believe. When a nurse witnesses the signature of a patient for a procedure, or surgery, he or she is not responsible for providing its details. Rather, the role is to be the patient's advocate; to protect the patient's dignity; identify any fears; and determine his or her degree of comprehension and approval of care to be received. Each patient is an individual, and each one will have a different and unique response depending on his or her personality, level of education, emotions, and cognitive status. If the patient can restate the information that has been imparted to him or her, then that will help to confirm that he or she has received enough information and has understood it. The nurse is obligated to report any doubts about the patient's understanding regarding what has been said, or any concerns about his or her capacity to make decisions.

I will be going to go about, discussing the consent issue by comparing it between the two fields that are adult nursing and child nursing. I will further explain the types of consent and the similarities and differences among the 2 fields. Finally I will conclude the paper by mentioning the future implication regarding the consent in nursing.

Definition of Consent

An individual's ethical right to autonomy in determining their own medical care is expressed through law by consent; allowing individuals to maintain their autonomy is a legal necessity, and as such, any competent adult is required to provide consent in order to be treated by medical professionals. (Brazier, 2007: 27)

Types of Consent

Informed consent may be either "express" or "implied." Express consent is given in writing or verbally. If a patient's consent is written, it should include the name of the health care professional who discussed the proposed treatment with the patient, the name of the health care provider who is to perform the procedure and the date, time and location where the consent form was signed. (Brazier, 2007: 33)Consent not given by a patient in writing or verbally, but understood from the circumstances surrounding the procedure or treatment at issue is known as implied consent. Consent may be implied when, for instance, a patient presents him or herself for a relatively simple, non-invasive procedure. Consent is also usually implied for necessary procedures a surgeon might perform in the course of a surgical procedure to which the patient did consent.

Informed consent is a legal doctrine stating that you have the power to choose among medically reasonable plans for your care. Informed consent does not mean that you can or should dictate your care. If a person requests tests or treatments that the ...