Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians Goal
The surgeons and staff of Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians (RMAP) seek to assist in the improvement of the health of individuals who suffer from the disease of Morbid Obesity. RMAP desires that all of their patients achieve improved health and an enriched quality of life through significant weight reduction by the method of weight loss surgery, nutritional and behavioral education. RMAP desires that all of their patients achieve excellent results, optimum health and an enriched quality of life through significant weight reduction.
Why Informed Consent?
The primary purpose of informed consent is to empower you in making informed fundamental life choices while enhancing personal authority to act in accordance with your health choices so that you may achieve reasonable outcomes based on your personal participation, awareness, and responsibility in this life changing process.
This documentation occurs through three educational classes:
1. The Risks & Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery
2. Awareness & Informed Consent
3. Pre-Surgery Orientation
Upon completion of these classes, and / or review of materials you will have the knowledge needed to reach an informed decision and assess if Weight Loss Surgery is the correct treatment for your physical needs.
Patients who live beyond a reasonable travel distance to Salt Lake City, Utah will receive their information and instruction in the mail. However, they will not be exempt from demonstrating their mastery of the materials and written assessments.
Making an Informed Decision
Informed consent is consent that is given by a person only after receipt of the following information:
- The nature and purpose of the proposed procedure or treatment
- The expected outcome.
- The likelihood of success or failure.
- The risks involved in the procedure.
- Alternatives to the procedure and supporting information regarding those alternatives.
- The effect of no treatment or procedure, including the effect on the prognosis and the risk associated with no treatment.
(ASBS Convention 2002)
One of the governing principles of RMAP is to assure that each patient has the knowledge they need to reach an informed decision regarding weight loss surgery. It is hoped that this information will guide the patient in the decision to undergo surgery by creating an awareness of the possible complications, benefits of surgery, and areas of post operative patient responsibility.