Informed refusal is where a person has refused a recommended medical treatment based upon an understanding of the facts and implications of not following the treatment. Informed refusal is linked to the informed consent process, as a patient has a right to consent, but also may choose to refuse.
Be Honest and Direct: Explain your reasons for wanting to refuse the treatment. You might say something like: - ``I've been thinking about the crown treatment, and I've decided I would like to withdraw my consent. I appreciate your recommendation, but I have some reservations.''
A dentist has the right to refuse to treat you. He is not obligated to perform a service that you want just because you want it. Nor does he have to perform any treatment that he feels would be better done by a specialist. However, a dentist cannot abandon you during treatment.
In its most basic terms, informed consent is the conversation during which the dentist gives the patient information about: Any dental health problems that the dentist observed. The nature of any proposed treatment. The potential benefits and risks associated with that treatment. Any alternatives to the proposed ...
The documentation should include when and where the discussions occurred; who participated or was physically present during the conversations; the options, risks, benefits, costs, and possible outcomes addressed; and notations that the patient's questions were answered.
Informed refusal may indicate that you and the patient have different values and expectations. Consider whether it would be best if that patient is dismissed from the practice and referred to another dentist. Example: the patient who refuses a radiograph you believe essential to proper diagnosis and treatment.
What Hygienists Should Say When Patients Refuse Dental... Clarify the Doctor's Clinical Philosophy. Identify the Benefits of Radiographs. Ask the Patient Why They are Hesitant. Base Your Scripting on the Patient's Challenge. Example Scripting. Legal Risks. In Closing. References.
If the patient's refusal puts them at significant risk of injury, an informed refusal discussion is necessary. The informed refusal helps in several ways: Improves documentation by capturing the physician's efforts at providing the best possible care. Expresses the severity and consequences of the refusal.
Meet All Legal Obligations Regarding Informed Refusal You have an ethical and legal responsibility to have an in-depth conversation with the patient. It should include a complete explanation of the benefits, risks, and potential outcomes they'll experience by agreeing to or refusing the treatment plan.
Just as the patient has a right to refuse any treatment, the dentist has the right to refuse any treatment. As a practicing dentist, I will give the patient the options that I feel are viable, and if they aren't convinced, I will refer them. I have a lot more content patients that way.