Perfecting the Consent Process
Obtaining appropriate consent before administering a treatment is a fundamental part of ethical medical practice. It signifies respect for patient autonomy, while ensuring you are legally protected should a claim arise.
The importance of consent
Informed consent allows patients to make decisions about their own body and how we treat it. It acknowledges that patients are the best judges of what is right for them, which is particularly relevant in the aesthetics field where treatments are elective, rather than necessary.
It also serves as documentation that the patient was aware of the risks and benefits of a procedure beforehand and was happy to proceed. This is so important if a complication occurs, and a patient later raises a claim against you.
Finally, obtaining consent enhances the patient-practitioner relationship. Patients respect healthcare providers who involve them in the decision-making process, developing greater trust and comfort from your conversations.
Defining consent
As healthcare professionals, it’s sensible to follow NHS guidelines on obtaining consent appropriately.
The NHS states that for consent to be valid, it must be voluntary and informed, and the person consenting must have the capacity to make the decision. The meanings of these terms are:
- Voluntary: the decision to either consent or not to consent to treatment must be made by the person, and must not be influenced by pressure from medical staff, friends or family
- Informed: the person must be given all of the information about what the treatment involves, including the benefits and risks, whether there are reasonable alternative treatments, and what will happen if treatment does not go ahead
- Capacity: the person must be capable of giving consent, which means they understand the information given to them and can use it to make an informed decision
Consent can be given verbally, for example someone saying they’re happy to have a facial assessment, and in writing – necessary prior to any treatment delivery. Consent must be given to the person responsible for the patient’s treatment and can be withdrawn at any time prior to the procedure.
Strategies for effective consent
Here at Enhance Insurance Services, we recommend having stringent consent forms unique to each treatment you offer. This will ensure all benefits and risks are suitably acknowledged, reducing the risk of a claim being made.
Standard things you can do to ensure you’re taking consent effectively are:
- Use clear communication: speak in simple language and use visual aids to explain procedures, their risks and benefits. Avoid medical jargon that may confuse the patient.
- Assess understanding: ask patients to repeat the information in their own words to ensure they have understood the details correctly.
- Respect cultural differences: be aware of cultural sensitivities and how they may affect how patients perceive and provide consent – tailor your process to suit different cultures.
- Treat consent as an ongoing process: revisit and reaffirm consent, especially if the treatment plan changes.
Additionally, we advise:
- Making sure that the consenting documentation is signed and dated
- Reconsenting for repeat treatments – don’t assume that because they’ve had it before they remember the risks and don’t need covering
- Any specific or unusual issues raised by the patient are documented – it’s beneficial to do this contemporaneously and repeat back to the patient to ensure nothing is missed
- Taking before and after photographs of the patient – make sure these are standardised by using the same lighting and positioning to accurately compare differences
- Keep diagrams/drawings used to illustrate a treatment or procedure with the patient file – these can come in really handy to further support how you’ve done your utmost to explain what to expect
Be confident in your consent processes
Before offering any treatment, you should be confident that your consent processes are legal, ethical and appropriate for each procedure.
Make sure you store all consent forms securely – digitally is recommended – and they are easily obtainable if needed in future.
Despite your best intentions, remember that you may be faced with an unexpected claim at any time, which is likely to be stressful and upsetting. Knowing you’ve done your utmost to protect yourself and your patients will make the process easier and quicker to manage.
Get in touch if you’d like further guidance on enhancing your consent process.
