Written Consent In Nursing Essay

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As a patient in a hospital, someone has given their hopes of recovering to the staff and the doctor treating them. In most clinics or hospitals patients sign a form giving the doctors consent to treat them, and also before a procedure. There is an example of this in Cancer Ward: “The clinic obtains written consent from every patient before every operation,” (76). As long as they remain in an institution seeking their care, doctors have the authority to give a strong recommendation in the steps needed to treat the patient. Dr. Dontsova said she has the right to decide for her patients and it is hard to disagree with her point because it is her profession. However, a patient always has the right to check out of an institution or transfer …show more content…

They may be unable to see their situation in terms of the bigger picture. It is probably extremely hard for them to accept that they have to put their bodies through extensive lengths of treatment. At this point, it is important that a doctor has the authority to outline treatment for a patient and inform them of their choices. These professionals have been in the situation before and can identify certain things to patients going through those circumstances. Additionally, doctors are professionals in this setting, entitling them to prescribe the treatment they find necessary. In fact, the schooling that doctors receive is unparalleled by the patients. Sure, someone can research treatments online or read about the subject but doctors have received the best education in their field that is possible. This also requires certifications and tests constantly, an ongoing education. All of these things bring up Kostoglotov’s point, “Why do you assume you have the right to decide for someone else? Don’t you agree it’s a terrifying right, one that rarely leads to good? You should be careful. No one’s entitled to it, not even doctors.” (79) Back then, doctors still did unparalleled work compared to the contrary- people

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