A pragmatist's guide to the assessment of decision-making capacity.

Zhong, Rocksheng; Sisti, Dominic A; Karlawish, Jason H · Br J Psychiatry · 2019

editorial · Level V

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Abstract

Choice, understanding, appreciation and reasoning compose the standard model of decision-making capacity. Difficulties in determining capacity can arise when patients exhibit partial impairment. We suggest that a pragmatic approach, focusing on how capacity status affects the ultimate decision to override the patient's wishes, can help evaluators resolve difficult cases.Declaration of interestNone.

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