Religious issues in the capacity evaluation.
The authors explore the difficulties present in the capacity evaluation of patients with strong religious beliefs. The article reviews the legal protection for treatment refusal on religious grounds as well as psychiatry's approach to religion. Clinical cases encountered in an urban hospital are presented to highlight how the conflicts among psychiatric, religious, and legal issues can be resolved. Suggestions are made for incorporating an exploration of religious values into the capacity assessment.
Waldfogel
S
S
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA.
Meadows
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002835:Christianity / Q000523:psychology; D003702:Delusions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D028741:Ethics Committees, Clinical; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D028642:Persons with Psychiatric Disorders; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*