title: Supported decision making: a review of the international literature.
abstract: Supported decision making (SDM) refers to the process of supporting people, whose decision making ability may be impaired, to make decisions and so promote autonomy and prevent the need for substitute decision making. There have been developments in SDM but mainly in the areas of intellectual disabilities and end-of-life care rather than in mental health. The main aim of this review was to provide an overview of the available evidence relevant to SDM and so facilitate discussion of how this aspect of law, policy and practice may be further developed in mental health services. The method used for this review was a Rapid Evidence Assessment which involved: developing appropriate search strategies; searching relevant databases and grey literature; then assessing, including and reviewing relevant studies. Included studies were grouped into four main themes: studies reporting stakeholders' views on SDM; studies identifying barriers to the implementation of SDM; studies highlighting ways to improve implementation; and studies on the impact of SDM. The available evidence on implementation and impact, identified by this review, is limited but there are important rights-based, effectiveness and pragmatic arguments for further developing and researching SDM for people with mental health problems.
authors: School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. Electronic address: g.davidson@qub.ac.uk.
authors: Gavin
authors: G
authors: Davidson
authors: School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
authors: Berni
authors: B
authors: Kelly
authors: School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
authors: Geraldine
authors: G
authors: Macdonald
authors: Matrix Knowledge (the trading name of TMKG Ltd), London, England, United Kingdom.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Rizzo
authors: Matrix Knowledge (the trading name of TMKG Ltd), London, England, United Kingdom.
authors: Louise
authors: L
authors: Lombard
authors: Matrix Knowledge (the trading name of TMKG Ltd), London, England, United Kingdom.
authors: Oluwaseye
authors: O
authors: Abogunrin
authors: Matrix Knowledge (the trading name of TMKG Ltd), London, England, United Kingdom.
authors: Victoria
authors: V
authors: Clift-Matthews
authors: Matrix Knowledge (the trading name of TMKG Ltd), London, England, United Kingdom.
authors: Alison
authors: A
authors: Martin
mesh_terms: D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence
keywords: Guardianship; Mental capacity law; Mental health law; Substitute decision making; Supported decision making; UNCRPD