Decision making and capacity

Students should be able to:
• Demonstrate the application of the key principles of the consent process

• Demonstrate an understanding of how the concept of capacity relates to everyday decision-making

• Analyse the legal and ethical implications of the rights of a patient with capacity

• Discuss the scope of the patient’s right to request specific treatment and the issues surrounding respect for patient autonomy

• Discuss the scope of the patient’s right to information about their diagnosis and treatment options, and when withholding information can be justified

• Discuss how to approach situations where patients have capacity but are otherwise vulnerable

• Evaluate the best interests of patients who lack capacity, including the appropriate weight to be given to the views of their relatives/carers

• Analyse the ethical and legal aspects of restrictions on liberty, the rights of patients who lack capacity, and the use of restraint in patients who lack capacity