4B-1 Giving or Declining Consent: Required Treatment and Medication Information

Whenever possible, you should meet with the ward and treatment provider before signing a consent form. While in-person meetings are best, phone or video conference meetings are acceptable alternatives.
 

The care team must provide the following information before you can legally consent to a treatment plan: 

• The treatment’s purpose, including procedures and medication.
• Proposed treatment plan including intended outcomes and possible complication.
• Alternative treatment options.
• Potential effects of not starting treatment, or stopping a current treatment.
• How long the proposed treatment might take.
• A plan for monitoring the treatment.

The health care provider must also provide information about any proposed medications including:

• All proposed treatment medications including dosage, how to take them and how often.
• Common benefits and risks including not starting or finishing a medication.
• Common risks and benefits to stopping a medication the ward already takes.
• Short- and long-term side effects and interactions with other medications.
• “Contraindications”: pre-existing conditions that may complicate treatment.
• Alternative medication options.

Lastly, make sure you can answer the following questions before giving your consent:

• Will the ward receive  psychotherapeutic medication during treatment?
• What therapy options, including non-medication alternatives, are available?
• Who is my primary contact on the treatment team?
• How will I reach this primary contact?
• How will this primary contact reach me, and how often?