Historically, individuals with mental disorder were often considered to suffer from a global inability to make decisions for themselves, and as such lost all right to self-determination. 

Recent decades have seen advances in bioethics as well as movement by the psychiatric profession from paternalism towards respect for patient autonomy. However, this can at times lead to philosophical, ethical and societal dilemmas.

This module offers guidance on:

• the philosophical issues underlying competence, capacity and decision-making

• consent   

• the legal background

• recent statutory developments

• the assessment tools 

• the evidence base.

Start the module (Reviewed February 2010)

If you like this module, you may also be interested in:

Advance decisions in psychiatry: England and Wales by Dr Lisa Williams and Dr John Rigby

The Mental Capacity Act 2005: Module 1 and Module 2 by Prof A. Holland

The Irish Mental Health Act 2001 by Dr Larkin Feeney and Dr Brendan Kelly

Dementia: capacity, empowerment and conflicts of interest by Prof Cornelius Katona and Dr Gill Livingston

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