Consent to Treatment: Understanding a Fundamental Right

Consent to treatment is a cornerstone of good medical care. It represents a person’s right to make informed choices about their health and care. 

What does consent mean?

Put simply, consent means a person giving permission for something to happen. Examples from a healthcare setting could include taking medication or starting a treatment plan. 

Consent can be explicit or implied. 

• Explicit consent is clearly expressed, such as verbally agreeing to a treatment, signing a consent form, or agreeing to terms and conditions on an app. 
• Implied consent is inferred from your actions. For example, attending follow-up appointments to continue a prescribed treatment. 

Consent in healthcare is an ongoing process and is built through clear, ongoing communication between the patient and healthcare professional.

Informed and Voluntary: 

For consent to be valid, it must be informed, voluntary, and given by a person with capacity. 

Being informed means a patient understands:

• What the treatment is and why it is being prescribed
• The benefits, risks, and alternatives
• The potential consequences of not going ahead with treatment

To demonstrate capacity, individuals should be able to fully understand the information, weigh up the pros and cons, retain it long enough to make a decision, and communicate their choice. 

Consent is a top priority for us at Roczen. We will take the time with you in appointments to go through all the relevant information and give you the space to fully consider if a treatment plan works for you. 

Consent is Continuous

Consent is not an isolated event - it is a continuing process of dialogue and understanding. Our appointments and communication channels offer an opportunity to ask questions, revisit decisions, and receive relevant information that may be of use. 

Do not be afraid to ask questions. We know decisions about health can be difficult and nuanced, and we are here to support you along the way. 

The Right to Change Your Mind

This is one of the most important things about consent. You can change your mind at any point - even after treatment has begun. This might include stopping medication or changing your treatment plan. 

Life happens - and things that were right at one time don’t always stay the same. So remember -  your decision is not final and you can withdraw consent at any time. 

Who is my clinician?

All Roczen clinicians (including doctors, nurses, and dieticians) hold the required qualifications and professional registrations for their specific role. Alongside that, they have all completed additional training in digital consulting and weight management and are fully DBS checked.

Our wider team (for example, health coaches and mentors) is carefully selected for their experience and relevant expertise in their field. 

Questions to ask Health Practitioners

Below, we have listed some questions that may help you before or during an appointment. No question is too big or small, and the Roczen team will listen and do their best to answer you fully. This is a crucial part of the consent process. 

Questions you may want to ask about the treatment itself, for example:

• What are the main treatment options?
• What are the benefits of each of the options?
• What are the risks, if any, of each option?
• What are the success rates for different options
• Why do you think a procedure (if suggested) is necessary?
• What are the risks if I decide to do nothing for the time being?
• How can I expect to feel after the treatment?
• What if the treatment does not do what it is meant to? What if I feel no better by a certain time?
• What should be the next step in my management plan?
• When should I worry if my symptoms change or worsen?

Summary

Consent is an important, foundational part of healthcare. It solidifies trust, builds a partnership between clinician and patient, and means you stay in the driving seat of your healthcare. 

Whilst this article covers general principles of consent, it does not address all the circumstances or patient groups where the consent process may differ. This includes children and young people, emergency medical care or patients with no capacity.