RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 A guide to assessing decision-making capacity
JF Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
JO Cleve Clin J Med
FD Cleveland Clinic
SP 971
OP 975
VO 71
IS 12
A1 Jones, Roger C.
A1 Holden, Timothy
YR 2004
UL http://www.ccjm.org/content/71/12/971.abstract
AB Many patients have uncertain capacity to make decisions about their care. Determining whether a patient possesses decision-making capacity challenges even the most seasoned of physicians. We illustrate an algorithm devised by Miller and Marin (Emerg Med Clin North Am 2000; 18:233–241) that assesses the patient’s understanding of his or her condition, ability to process information, and stability of decision-making to determine whether he or she possesses adequate decision-making capacity. Although this algorithm is better than previous approaches, it has limitations and potential problems with its implementation.