Jayes, M., Palmer, R. orcid.org/0000-0002-2335-7104 and Enderby, P. orcid.org/0000-0002-4371-9053 (2022) Evaluation of the MCAST, a multidisciplinary toolkit to improve mental capacity assessment. Disability and Rehabilitation, 44 (2). pp. 323-330. ISSN 0963-8288
Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate the usability and acceptability of the Mental Capacity Assessment Support Toolkit (MCAST) in healthcare settings and whether its use was associated with increased legal compliance and assessor confidence.
Materials and methods: A mixed methods convergence triangulation model was used. Multidisciplinary professionals used the MCAST during mental capacity assessments for UK hospital patients with diagnoses of stroke or acute or chronic cognitive impairment. Changes in legal compliance were investigated by comparing scores on case note audits before and after implementation of the MCAST. Changes in assessor confidence and professionals’ perceptions of the MCAST’s usability and acceptability were explored using surveys. Patients’ and family members’ views on acceptability were determined using semi-structured interviews. Data were integrated using triangulation.
Results: Twenty-one professionals, 17 patients and two family members participated. Use of the MCAST was associated with significant increases in legal compliance and assessor confidence. Most professionals found the MCAST easy to use and beneficial to their practice and patients. Patients and family members found the MCAST materials acceptable.
Conclusions: The MCAST is the first toolkit to support the needs of individuals with communication disabilities during mental capacity assessments. It enables assessors to deliver high quality, legally compliant and confident practice.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2020 Informa UK Ltd. 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: | Cognition disorders; communication disorders; decision making; informed consent; mental competency; neurological rehabilitation |
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 |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 08 Jun 2020 08:38 |
Last Modified: | 24 May 2022 11:47 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Taylor & Francis |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1080/09638288.2020.1765030 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:161271 |