Overestimating patients' capacity.

Lepping, Peter · Br J Psychiatry · 2011

editorial · Level V

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Abstract

Clinicians regularly overestimate patients' capacity to make decisions. This may jeopardise their autonomous decision-making. It may lead to poor clinical outcomes for patients and has potential adverse legal consequences for clinicians. There is a need to use the legal principles of the Mental Capacity Act more rigorously.

Medical subject headings