Pitfalls in assessment of decision-making capacity. Psychosomatics 2003;44(3):237-43
Date
05/02/2003Pubmed ID
12724505DOI
10.1176/appi.psy.44.3.237Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0037408442 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 102 CitationsAbstract
A total of 395 consultation-liaison psychiatrists, geriatricians, and geriatric psychologists responded to a survey that asked them to rate the frequency and importance to clinical care of 23 potential pitfalls and misunderstandings by clinicians who refer patients for assessment of decision-making capacity. Respondents also indicated which pitfalls were the most important to address in educating health care professionals. Overall, 22 of 23 pitfalls were rated as common by more than half of the respondents. Thirty-six percent of the respondents indicated that the most important pitfall to address in educating health care professionals was the tendency for health care practitioners to assume that a patient who lacks capacity for one type of medical decision also lacks capacity for all medical decisions. The results suggest that additional education is needed to improve clinicians' ability to evaluate patients' decision-making capacity.
Author List
Ganzini L, Volicer L, Nelson W, Derse AAuthor
Arthur R. Derse JD, MD Director, Professor in the Institute for Health and Humanity department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AgedClinical Competence
Data Collection
Decision Making
Expert Testimony
Geriatric Psychiatry
Humans
Mental Competency
Patient Care Team
Referral and Consultation
United States
