Examining the approaches used to assess decision-making capacity in healthcare practice

To examine the approaches that are being used in New Zealand when conducting decision-making capacity (DMC) assessments among the healthcare professionals that commonly conduct DMC assessments and those that are involved in, but do not conduct, the assessments.

An online quantitative survey was conducted, lasting 10 minutes, including a mix of closed- and open-ended questions. The survey garnered responses from a total of n=78 participants.

Bedside cognitive tests were found to be the most commonly reported tool used to assess DMC among those conducting and those contributing to DMC assessments. Nearly a third (31.9%) of participants conducting DMC assessments used a structured clinical interview as one of their most common approaches while 27.5% of this same group reported not being aware of this approach. It was reported by both those conducting and those contributing to DMC assessments that the current standards lack quality and consistency, with partial capacity being poorly understood and identified, and supported decision making often being overlooked for substitute decision making.

Current approaches to DMC assessment lack standardisation and consistency, with assessment approaches being widely varied. This article serves as a call for the development of and adherence to nationally recognised standards for DMC assessments.