coverage corner My Patient is Refusing Necessary Treatment; Now What? As a physician, you use your knowledge, experience, and medical judgment to determine the best course of treatment for your patient. However, adult patients with decision-making capacity have the right to choose or refuse to follow your treatment plan. When a patient refuses a necessary treatment, what can physicians do to protect themselves and their patients? It begins with the informed consent process. A common allegation against physicians in a medical malpractice lawsuit is that the physician failed to fully obtain the patient's informed consent- that had they been informed of the risks of the treatment/procedure, the patient would not have consented to the treatment/procedure and therefore would not have been harmed. The physician has a duty to explain the recommended course of treatment and provide enough information to allow a patient to make an informed decision to consent to or refuse treatment. The informed consent discussion should include the intended benefits of, alternatives to, and the possible risks and complications of the treatment or procedure. Informed consent should be an ongoing process should a patient's condition or treatment needs change. To better defend against allegations APMA.ORG apmanews 35http://www.APMA.ORG