General practitioners and decision-making capacity assessment: the experiences and educational needs of New Zealand general practitioners. (24th March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vara, Alisha; Young, Greg; Douglass, Alison; Sundram, Frederick; Henning, Marcus; Cheung, Gary
• Is Part Of: Family practice. Volume 37:Number 4(2020)
• Page Start: 535
• Page End: 540
• Publication Date: 2020-03-24
• Subjects: General practitioners -- informed consent -- medical education -- medical legislation -- mental competency -- primary health care; Primary care (Medicine) -- Periodicals; Clinical medicine -- Periodicals; 616.005
• DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmaa022
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0263-2136

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Assessing decision-making capacity to health care is within the scope of practice for all doctors, yet the experience of GPs in this area is unknown. Objective: To explore the experiences, perspectives, approaches and challenges for GPs in New Zealand when conducting decision-making capacity assessments. Methods: Qualitative study design comprising individual in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted with a convenience sample of GPs. Interview transcripts were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Results: Twelve participants were recruited. The following themes emerged: (i) GPs' roles and responsibilities in decision-making capacity assessments; (ii) GPs lack formal training, knowledge, and confidence in decision-making capacity assessments; (iii) the legal interface of decision-making capacity assessments; (iv) GPs' relationships with specialists and the resulting impact on their confidence in decision-making capacity assessments; and (v) opportunities to improve GPs' knowledge and confidence in decision-making capacity assessments. Conclusions: GPs take responsibility for decision-making capacity assessments; however, assessments can be complex. There is a need to develop specific curriculum and training resources for GPs to improve their clinical skills and legal knowledge in decision-making capacity assessments.