About This Course

The purpose of this short online course is to provide training to all healthcare workers on the most recent HSE policies on obtaining a valid informed consent from patients. The aim is to educate healthcare workers on their obligations related to obtaining consent, and patients’ legal rights.

It is important for all healthcare workers to realise that consent is an ongoing process rather than a single action and needs to be obtained continuously throughout the course of the treatment, consent can also be withdrawn. All patients have legal right to be involved in the decision-making process related to their treatment and decide what happens to their bodies.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Understand the concept of a valid informed consent

• Be aware of legal implications of not obtaining valid informed consent

• Provide information clearly and concisely to assure full comprehension

• Apply varied methodologies to obtain a valid informed consent

• Obtain valid informed consent from the vulnerable group of patients, for example, patients with additional needs or underaged patients

• Assess patient's decision-making capacity, and obtain consent from patients who lack the capacity to make decisions for themselves

• Obtain informed consent when dealing with emergency situations

• Be familiar with the relevant documentation necessary for recording a receipt of a valid informed consent

Designed For

All doctors and healthcare workers involved in obtaining informed consent.

This course is delivered online via RCPI Brightspace.