What Is Informed Consent In Psychology And How To Do It

The relationship established between the patient/client and the psychologist is a relationship of trust that must be based on certain rules. These rules must be provided by the psychologist at the beginning of the professional relationship so that the patient/client can express informed consent to it.

This is an ethical and legal term defined as the consent of a client to a proposed mental health procedure or psychotherapeutic, or participation in a research project or a clinical trial.

What aspects are included in the informed consent

The word consent derives from Latin and from an etymological point of view means “approval of an act.” At the medical-legal level, consent is an act of will that gives others the possibility of working to satisfy the person’s rights or the right to health.

Specifically, the psychologist will provide the patient adequate and clear information about:

• The type of health services provided.
• Determination of objectives.
• Foreseeable deadlines and methodology.
• Limits of intervention.
• Possibility of withdrawing informed consent.

Likewise, information on the costs and processing of personal data is not included in the content of the informed consent.

All medical treatment, including clinical activities of a psychological nature, requires the consent of the user after he has been informed of the benefits, such as the purpose and alternative interventions, in order to be able to freely choose whether or not to undergo the treatment. intervention. Informed consent is, therefore, a factor of expression of the freedom of the individual and the right to self-determination, which is why it is included among the fundamental rights recognized by legal systems.

Thus, the concept of informed consent arises from the recognition that individuals have the right to freedom, autonomy and human dignity. The premise of all health treatment lies in the free and conscious choice of the person who undergoes that treatment.

Informed consent, therefore, It must be free and not corrupted It is necessary to consider the person who will receive the health benefit as an active subject and participant in the decision-making processes that concern them.

How can you do informed consent in psychology? In general, the informed consent process consists of three parts:

1. Provide the client with information

The psychologist must communicate the nature, risks and benefits of the procedure, treatment, research or any other eventuality to which the client consents. This also includes the authorization of the professional to issue information, communicate by email, register a session, etc.

At this stage, the client can ask questions and participate in a dialogue or discussion in which the psychologist, if any, must offer viable alternatives to treatment to allow the person to have a clear view of all options. On the other hand, information about the most probable results of the treatment must also be presented to the patient and the information provided in a clear and simple manner.

2. Assess the client’s ability to understand the information

The psychologist must evaluate whether the person has the capacity to understand the information and ensure you are competent to make an informed decision about your medical care or treatment. Once the necessary information has been verified and provided, the professional must determine whether or not the information provided has been understood.

In this way, the psychologist will have to be able to ensure that the client clearly understands and accepts the risks of the procedure, study or treatment. When possible and deemed appropriate, the psychologist will be able to verify that the individual is proceeding with the final option with full forethought knowledge of its risks and benefits.

3. Obtain client consent

Finally, the client must acknowledge that he has been informed and express his consent informed. The informed consent must be written in writing and in duplicate (one copy will be for the professional and the other for the patient/client), and must contain all technical aspects not related to the professional provision.

However, on some occasions it can also be acquired by video recording or, in the case of a person with a disability, through devices that allow them to communicate.

Content of informed consent

The content of informed consent varies from one situation to another. Typically, it should include a description of the intervention, treatment, procedure, and disclosure of information. Likewise, this consent may also include alternative options, risks and benefits and the exact nature of the treatment, which are sometimes not clearly explained and must be further explored.

The scope and depth of The information provided varies from one situation to another Thus, consent to disclose information often includes other aspects such as who the entity is to whom the information is provided, what type of information must be disclosed, the purpose of publication, and the time limit or period during which such disclosure is authorized.

This article is merely informative, at PsychologyFor we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

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