How is the revised informed-consent policy different?
A. Under the revised policy, the physician – not a nurse as has been done in the past – must have the patient sign the consent form, in which the patient acknowledges that the physician has discussed the risks, benefits and alternatives to the procedure. In most cases, the form should be filled out at the time of the informed-consent discussion. Furthermore, the physician must sign the same form as the patient, not a separate “attestation form” as has been done in the past. Q. When I see a patient in clinic and recommend an operation, I generally include a discussion of the risks, benefits and alternatives and I document this in my clinic dictation. Not infrequently, patients will think about their options and decide later whether to schedule the procedure. If the patient decides to have the operation, he/she returns for a history and physical, lab tests, anesthesia evaluation, and to sign the consent form. Do I need to be present at this visit and sign the attestation portion of the f
