Approach to Determination of Decision-Making Capacity

Abstract

In medicine, many treatment options are available, but determining whether or not they support a patient’s values or goals requires an invitation to the patient to participate in medical decision-making. This is the process of informed consent. Medical decision-making capacity is the ability to understand and appreciate the nature and consequences of health care treatment decisions. The demonstration of medical decision-making capacity is a required element in the process of informed consent. In this chapter, we will explore the elements of informed consent, the process of determining decision-making capacity, and factors that may influence a patient’s medical decision-making capacity, including “pseudo-incapacity.”