Ver el código de «Capacity»

==Background==
*Capacity is the ability to understand the nature and effect of one’s acts
**May have capacity in one moment and lack capacity in another
*Main question to consider is "does the patient have the ability to understand the nature and effect of his or her acts in a specific moment in time?"
*[[Mini mental status exam]] (MMSE) score <19 is correlated with lack of capacity
*Patients who lack capacity may not make their own medical decisions.

==Components==
*Must have all four criterion to achieve capacity<ref> Appelbaum PS. N Engl J Med 2007;357:1834-40</ref>
*Criterion 1 - communicate a choice
**Clearly demonstrate preference for a treatment option
**Reversals of choice due to altered mental status or psychiatric disease suggests lack of capacity
*Criterion 2 - understand relevant information
**Grasp fundamental understanding of information communicated by physician
**Must understand condition, purpose of treatment, benefits/risks of treatment, and alternatives
*Criterion 3 - appreciate situation and its consequences
**Acknowledge medical condition (no denial, delusions)
**No acknowledgement termed "lack of insight"
***"What do you believe is wrong with your health now?"
***"Do you believe that you will need treatment to make your health better?"
***"What do you believe will happen if you are not treated?"
***"Why do you think doctors recommend this treatment?"
*Criterion 4 - reason about treatment options
**Demonstrate rational processing of relevant information communicated by physician
***"What makes treatment 1 better than treatment 2?"
***"How did you decide to accept or reject recommended treatments?"

==See Also==
*[[Competence]]
*[[Emancipated minor]]

==References==
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[[Category:Misc/General]]