Abstract
A discussion dealing with competency assessment and advance directives might best begin by adressing the concept of competence. The assessment of competence would then lead us to consider the definition and the criteria that have to be met in order to say someone is competent. In this case we are considering the idea of competence to complete an advance directive; so having stipulated the criteria, we should then consider what would constitute an appropriate test of this competence in accordance with these criteria. However, we should start, not just by thinking about advance directives, but also by thinking about their ultimate objectives: what is the end or aim of an advance directive? Afterwards, we shall hopefully have gained a perspective that enables us to say more about competence with respect to advance directives. I shall argue that we need the broadest possible view, which will amount to a perspective of the person. In which case, the assessment of competence will seem less like a test of the legal notion of decision-making capacity and more like an evaluative interpretation involving the person’s normative narrative.
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Hughes, J.C. (2008). Assessment of Competency and Advance Directives. In: Stoppe, G. (eds) Competence Assessment in Dementia. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-211-72369-2_9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-211-72369-2_9
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