Jayes, M.J. orcid.org/0000-0002-0371-7811, Palmer, R.L. and Enderby, P.M. (2017) An exploration of mental capacity assessment within acute hospital and intermediate care settings in England: a focus group study. Disability and Rehabilitation, 39 (21). pp. 2148-2157. ISSN 0963-8288
Abstract
Purpose: To explore approaches to the assessment of mental capacity within acute hospital and intermediate care settings in England.
Methods: Two focus group interviews were conducted with multidisciplinary staff (n = 13) within a large hospital trust. Data were analysed using a Framework approach.
Results: Three main themes were identified: (i) the assessment process; (ii) staff experience of assessment; (iii) assessing capacity for patients with communication difficulties. Staff identified the main patient groups, patient decisions and professionals involved in capacity assessment. They described using both formal and informal approaches to assess capacity and specific methods to identify and support the needs of patients with communication difficulties during the assessment process. Most staff reported finding capacity assessment challenging, due to time pressures, a perceived lack of knowledge or skills and encountering practice that is not consistent with legal requirements. Staff stated a need for initiatives to facilitate and improve practice.
Conclusions: These findings provide confirmatory evidence that mental capacity assessment is complex and challenging and that staff would benefit from additional support and resources to aid their practice. It provides new evidence about the methods used by staff to assess capacity, particularly for patients with communication difficulties.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2016 Taylor & Francis. This is an author produced version of a paper subsequently published in Disability and Rehabilitation. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Decision-making; communication disorders; cognitive disorders; stroke; dementia; Framework approach |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) > School of Health and Related Research (Sheffield) > ScHARR - Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research The University of Sheffield > Sheffield Teaching Hospitals |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number National Institute for Health Research CDRF-2013-04-030 |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 16 Nov 2016 09:25 |
Last Modified: | 30 Jun 2023 16:06 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2016.1224275 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Taylor & Francis |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1080/09638288.2016.1224275 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:107299 |