Question

What predictors determine if patients are mentally competent to make their own decisions? How could a patient's decision be affected in situations where the decisions do not appear to make sense?

Answer 1

As per the law all individals possess autonomy and self determination , where they can decide to accept or refuse treatment.The following are the few factors that determines whether the patient is mentally capable of taking their own decisions.

1)Communication

A mentally healthy patient will be able to communicate properly if given a choice about the treatment options. Sometimes the patient may be ina dobt which doesnt mean that he or she is not able to make decisions. But changing a decision once made too many times back and forth can be considered as a pschyatric disoder and ha sto be taken are.

2)Understanding

Ahealthy patient mut understand the treatment options explained and should as rekevant doubts inturn. This shows the intelligence and the understanding levelof the patient.

3)Appreciation

A patient shuld be able to undertstand the outcome of the treatment modalities explained to him by te health practiotoner. Lack of appreciation should be taken as decreased level of taking decisions

4)Reasoning

patient should be able to understand the merits and demerits of the treatment options planned which indicates good level of taking decisions

Problems arise when patien denies treatment that is told mandatory from the sie of the physician.

If the patient is depressive and grief , itcan result in improper decision making.