Medical Decision-Making Capacity
Article Sections
Introduction
Decision-making capacity prioritizes the patient's right to make informed health care decisions that align with their values and goals. Capacity to make a medical decision requires the ability to express a choice, understand the relevant medical information, appreciate the consequences of treatment options, and offer a rationale for the decision.
Definitions and key concepts
Capacity is a patient's ability to make an independent and informed decision about their medical care. Decision-making capacity is a necessary component of the informed consent process and ensures that the patient can fully participate in discussions about their treatment.
Capacity is specific to one decision; a patient can only demonstrate (or lack) capacity in relation to a particular context (ie, the patient lacks capacity to refuse a blood transfusion). Capacity is also
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