In short
- The treating physician or other treating professional takes your consent and documents it.
- Forms are in Arabic and English, and the completed form becomes part of your health record.
- You can refuse treatment, and you can withdraw consent.
- For most procedures, a signed consent should not be valid for more than 30 days from signature, if your condition has not changed.
What it means
The DHA Guidelines for Patient Consent apply to DHA licensed facilities and professionals in Dubai. They describe consent before treatment as a legal requirement, and as a sign of your right to control your own care. If you are treated elsewhere in the UAE, ask the facility which rules apply.
The guidelines describe three types of consent:
- Written consent, where you sign to agree to a specific procedure or treatment because of a significant risk.
- Verbal consent, where you agree out loud to something that does not carry a significant risk.
- Implied consent, where your actions show you agree, for example by cooperating with a blood test.
Written consent is expected for things like surgical or invasive procedures, anaesthesia, blood products, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and the use of telehealth services.
What you should be told, and the form
The treating physician is responsible for taking your consent and documenting it. Before you agree, they should talk to you about:
- Your condition and diagnosis
- The proposed procedure or treatment, and the aftercare
- Whether it is approved or experimental
- The potential benefits, side effects and risks
- Recovery and the expected outcome
- Other options, where there are any
- The name of the treating physician or team
All costs must be disclosed before the procedure starts. The information should be in plain language, and you should get accurate answers to your questions. You should have enough time to read and understand the form.
Forms must be in Arabic and English, and each facility develops its own form for each procedure or treatment. You have the right to read the form, or have it explained in a language you can understand. An interpreter can help, and should also sign. The completed form becomes part of your health record, and a copy may be issued to you.
medicAI publishes template consent forms so you can see what a form looks like. They are templates. The treating doctor and facility take your consent and are responsible for your care.
Refusing, withdrawing and how long it lasts
You have the right to refuse treatment. If you do, the physician documents your refusal and the information given about what it may mean. Consent is no longer valid if you withdraw it.
The consent is also no longer valid if your condition or diagnosis has changed, or if the procedure or treatment is changed. A new consent is then needed.
For informed consent and anaesthesia, validity runs from signature until the procedure is done, and generally should not exceed 30 days from the date of signature if your condition has not changed. Some treatments work differently. For example, consent for chemotherapy, radiation therapy or dialysis is valid for the whole course unless the plan changes.
When someone else can consent, and exceptions
Adults aged 18 and over are presumed able to consent unless there is evidence otherwise. For a minor, or an adult who cannot give consent, the guidelines set out an order of next of kin. They also have a specific rule for reproductive health procedures for married women, where the guidelines say a husband's or legal guardian's consent is mandatory.
Consent may not be mandatory in two situations: when immediate medical intervention is needed and consent cannot be obtained, in which case the reasons must be recorded, and when a patient has a contagious disease that threatens public health. In a life-threatening situation, life-saving treatment may go ahead without explicit consent. In an emergency, call 998.
Photos and videos used for marketing need a separate written consent. They should not be bundled into your consent to treatment.
Consent and video consultations
The DHA telehealth standard says consent may be signed electronically or in person before telehealth services start, and that consent for treatment must be documented at each encounter. You should be told your rights, including the right to stop or refuse treatment. Consent does not remove the physician's liability for medical malpractice.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. If you are unsure about a form, ask your doctor to explain it before you sign.
Questions people ask
Who is responsible for taking informed consent?
Under the DHA guidelines, the treating physician, dentist or other treating healthcare professional is responsible for taking informed consent and documenting it.
Can I change my mind after signing a consent form?
Yes. You have the right to refuse treatment, and a consent is no longer valid if you withdraw it. Tell your treating doctor as soon as you can.
How long is a signed consent form valid?
Under the DHA guidelines, informed consent generally should not exceed 30 days from the date of signature if your condition has not changed. Some treatments, such as chemotherapy and blood products, have different rules.
Sources and further reading
medicAI is not for emergencies. If someone is seriously ill or injured, call 998 or go to the nearest hospital.
This article is general information. It does not replace advice from a doctor who knows your situation.
