Assessment of parental competence to consent to treatment for their child

The admission of a child to the intensive care unit (ICU) represents a traumatic experience for parents. They may feel bombarded with information, loss of control and subject to enormous stress. The psychological stress of their child being admitted to ICU may render parents incapable of rational decision-making. Parents may receive frequent requests for consent at a time when their mental competence to do so may be questioned. Parental competence is affected by: information giving, effective communication and the perception of the person evaluating. The purpose of assessment of mental competence is to ensure that informed consent takes place and the best interests of the child are protected.