title: Multidisciplinary palliative care teams' understanding of Mental Capacity Act 2005 'best interest' determinations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore multidisciplinary palliative care teams' implementation of the concept of 'best interests' as stated in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The MCA for England and Wales provides a statutory framework to protect people who are unable to make their own decisions. No previous research has tackled the specific aim of this investigation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative research methods were used to interview professionals from two multidisciplinary palliative care teams. The interviews were audio-recorded and thematically analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants reported that the best interests concept is part of their daily practice, but they had limited understanding of the MCA formulation of best interests. Team location influences the setting and process of best interests decision making.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Palliative care professionals' process of considering their patients' best interests may not directly reflect the specific guidance of the MCA.
authors.affiliation: School of Health, Sport and Rehabilitation Services, University of Salford, Frederick Road Campus, UK. D.Harris@salford.ac.uk
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cohen Fineberg
mesh_terms: D003657:Decision Making; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010166:Palliative Care; D010348:Patient Care Team; D013222:State Medicine; D014852:Wales