PHL281H1 Lecture 6: Competence
14 Dec 2016
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Document Summary
Capacity to make medical decision for oneself. Competence is a threshold- quality, not quantity (all or nothing) Marginally competent: able to make certain decisions, but not other ones. Looking at my decision, you"re not looking at me at all = not reasonable. Or necessary for appreciation of significance of consequences on her life. Present them the information, see what they do with it, and then decide if they seem to understand. Temporal myopia- things in the present seem very large/important, the future seems not very important) Inconsistent with the patient"s own deepest values and considered judgements (ex. Religious belief- a consistent belief throughout their life: do irrational reasons undermine competence if the patient would have made the same decision without that reason, too paternalistic- judging what reasons are acceptable, and unacceptable. Which criteria conceptually connected to respecting patient choices. Possession of powers & information necessary - individual will be held responsible for one"s decisions.
