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Table 4. Informed Consent Checklist
Voluntariness:
Discuss with patient a decision-making model that works best. It can include shared
decision-making or non-directive counseling about options. If there are concerns
that the patient is being coerced into an option, consider speaking to patient alone or
having a family meeting, or request a clinical ethics consultation to help assess patient's
preferred options.
Consent for comfort care/hospice
• For patients who opt for comfort care and hospice, all discussions should include a
palliative care service or expert as well as pastoral care to plan an appropriate regimen
for the patient. Discussions surrounding palliative surgery and palliative radiation
must disclose all risks, benefits, and costs.
a
If you have concerns that your patient does not have decision-making capacity, request a formal
capacity assessment with a mental health provider, or request a clinical ethics consultation at
your institution. If the patient requires a surrogate decision-maker and does not have an advance
directive or a court-appointed guardian, consult your state surrogacy laws, which may involve
family hierarchy laws, or consult your institutional legal office.
(cont'd)
