Consent to treatment planso one of the most misunderstood documents in healthcare, so it’s worth taking the time to understand how they work and what they cover. In short: you should have one—and you should make sure it covers everything you are recommending to patients. Here is how it works and how you can use it to your benefit.
What is consent to the treatment plan?
A consent to the treatment plan is a legal document that allows your patients to give you permission to treat them for a specific condition. These are often derived from a consent to treatment template, which are created to collect health information, protect your business, and make sure that the patient understands possible treatment risks. It’s not a substitute for an informed consent form, so it should not be confused with one. It also shouldn’t be confused with a living will.
How does it work?
A consent to the treatment form is a legal document that gives the patient the right to make decisions about their healthcare, and it also gives the doctor the right to make decisions on behalf of his or her patients. The point of this arrangement is that one person can’t be held accountable for another’s actions. For example, if you have a doctor who makes a decision while treating your illness, they cannot be sued by you if had permission from you or their parent or legal guardian beforehand, except in cases of malpractice.
Another thing worth mentioning is that when people refer back to their consent forms during these court cases, they’re usually referring back specifically to what was written down within them—not necessarily what happened during the treatment itself. In other words: don’t expect that being able to produce an old document will always win out over someone else’s testimony. It just means that if there are discrepancies between those two things, then it may come down to which one has more credibility among jurors in a potential malpractice case.
Does it cover medication?
While your consent to the treatment plan is designed to outline everything that will happen during your stay in an inpatient facility, it’s important to understand that medication is included in that treatment plan.
When a patient is admitted, their health insurance will cover the cost of medications prescribed by doctors who have been working with them throughout their medical journey. There are different types of medications used by patients who are dealing with substance abuse issues. Some may be short-term solutions while others can help promote long-term recovery from addiction.
How do you create one?
To create a perfect consent to the treatment plan, you will need to be as educated as possible about your patients’ condition and the procedures that are available. Talk to other doctors and ask your patients questions—but don’t be afraid of pushback or telling them “no.” The more information you can gather from your patient, the better equipped you will be able to help you make an informed decision.
If possible, always get copies of medical records before they leave your office, especially if they say no to your treatment plan. If anything happens while in transit or at home then at least you have some proof that this conversation took place.