Using Driscoll's Model Of Reflection On Consent

The professional values that I have chosen to reflect on is consent. Using Driscoll (2007) model of reflection which is components circle involves three events: what? So what? Now what? A reflection account will focus on my experience of working in the surgical ward. Confidentiality will be maintained as the British Medical Association (BMA,2016) states that “All identifiable patient information, whether written, computerised, visually or audio recorded or simply held in the memory of health professionals, is subject to the duty of confidentiality”, hence pseudonym will be used and the patient will be referred to as Mr Eric.

WHAT?

Mr Eric’s is a patient who has been admitted to a surgical ward. he suffers from oozing wound and the doctor has

Consent is patients’ rights because they have right to know what is happening to their life which is fundamental value in professional practice (Department of Health (DH), 2001). Dougherty and Lister (2015) state that consent is a patient’s rights to refuse or to accept a treatment. However, Dimond (2010) said that consent is a voluntarily decision which can be given orally, verbally, written or implied for example if you ask a patient to take their blood pressure and they offer their arm. Eyal (2012) also states that consent promote trust in medical procedures that people may seek and comply with medical advice and participate in medical research. Bok (2013) argues that there are problems with the trust-promoting as many patients give consent despite being to some extent distrustful. Healthcare professionals must work on the assumption that every patient has the capacity to make decisions about their care, and to decide whether to agree to, or refuse, an examination or treatment. However, in the case that patients are deemed to be lacking capacity the Mental Capacity Act (2005), The Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act (2000) legislations must be followed (General Medical Council, 2008).

Gaining consent before providing care or treatment to any patient is very important because patient requires

Public Health England (2017) states that “Consent to treatment is the principle that a person must give permission before they receive any type of medical treatment, test or examination. This must be done on the basis of an explanation by a clinician”. Selinger (2009) also mentions that patient consent in required regardless of the procedure whether physical or something else as the consent principle is an important part of medical ethics and the international human rights. For example Mr Eric was asked several times and given time to think about the procedure which was going to take place and who was going to do it and the procedure was clearly explained to him to make an informed decision. British Journal of Medical Practitioners (Bjmp) (2017) recommends that consent must be voluntary, valid and informed, and the person consenting must have the capacity to make the decision. Therefore all health care professionals are required to provide treatment when patient has given consent voluntarily either consent or not to consent, given full information of the risks benefits and alternatives of the procedure