title: A guide to assessing decision-making capacity.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Director Internal Medicine Residency Program, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Tennessee College of Medicine-Chattanooga Unit, 37403, USA. jonesrc@erlanger.org
authors.forename: Roger C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Holden
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003657:Decision Making; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D016743:Mental Competency; D010358:Patient Participation; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations