title: Mental competence and consent to treatment.
abstract: The issue of mental competence in relation to consent to treatment has been highlighted in the recently amended Mental Health Act in Ontario. The definition of mental competence in this context, how it is to be determined, and some practical implications of the Section of the Act pertaining to this matter, are discussed. The case history of a young woman is used to illustrate some of the points made.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders; D005260:Female; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D028642:Persons with Psychiatric Disorders; D009864:Ontario; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D010349:Patient Compliance
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents