Description
Consent is a concept that can be complex and difficult to understand, but it does not have to be. This book is a handy pocket-sized guide to the consent process that treats consent as an essential part of your everyday practice.
From assent to self-determination, via legally valid consent, it’s full of practical detail about:
- what consent is
- who can give consent
- the ways in which consent can be given
- when consent can be given
- how you can work with your patient through the consent process.
Written by an experienced lecturer with input provided by current nursing students, this guidance is produced with you in mind – and you can carry it with you at all times!
Preface; Acknowledgements; About the author; Common terminology and key concepts; Main legislation and legal cases
1 Consent – definitions and foundations
1.1 A first thought
1.2 What consent is not
1.3 Definition of consent
1.4 Consent: a process
1.5 The underpinning of consent
1.6 In summary: what consent is
2 The importance of consent
2.1 An initial answer
2.2 Self-determination
2.3 The ethical basis for consent
2.4 The legal basis for consent
2.5 The professional basis for consent
2.6 In summary: two main reasons
3 The three principles of consent
3.1 The consent principles
3.2 Competence
3.3 Adequate information
3.4 Voluntariness
3.4.1 Involuntary treatment
3.5 In summary: legally valid consent
4 Those who can give consent
4.1 Introduction
4.2 The patient
4.2.1 Adult patients
4.2.2 Patients aged 16 and 17
4.2.3 Patients under 16
4.3 Parents and parental responsibility
4.4 Relatives and next of kin
4.5 Patient representatives
4.6 Competence assessment
4.7 Assessors of competence
4.8 In summary: giving consent
5 Obtaining consent
5.1 Seeking consent
5.2 Written consent
5.3 Oral consent
5.4 Inferred/implied consent
5.5 Consent vs. assent
5.6 Recording consent
5.7 In summary: how to obtain consent
6 Lack of patient consent
6.1 Inability to obtain consent
6.2 Competent patients
6.2.1 Patient refusal
6.2.2 Withdrawal of consent by a patient
6.3 Incompetent patients
6.3.1 Lasting Power of Attorney
6.3.2 Principle of necessity
6.3.3 Best Interests
6.4 Child patients
6.5 In summary: when there is no consent
References; Useful resources
The book as a pocket guide is a very comprehensive yet practical text that gives the reader enough information on [Consent] without going into too much detail, however, also gives the reader the ability to delve further thanks to the references list and further resources list.
For a pocket guide, the text has just the right level of detail and examples as well as content to allow the reader to gain and understand the fundamentals, while allowing them to explore topics further if they desire...
I really enjoyed this text and title. It is a very important topic that often causes people concern and worry as healthcare law and ethics can be a bit of a minefield. This was a much-needed and I am sure will be much-appreciated text in nursing and healthcare resources.
A registered nurse
The Consent pocket guide is great and I have recommended it to colleagues to add to the reading lists for their module.
Senior Lecturer, De Montfort University
