Obtaining informed consent for mental health treatment.

A series of forms has been developed by staff at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Seattle in response to a Washington state law requiring that patients give informed consent to treatment. The forms, which describe the nature of the treatment and possible risks and benefits, follow four models: a single consent form that meets all the needs of a clinical unit; separate consent forms for various services of a clinical unit, such as medication or group or individual therapy; a limited-consent form combined with a brochure or fact sheet; and a consent form combined with a treatment contract. The authors report that use of the forms has required very little additional staff time and has not discouraged patients from entering treatment.