Even for nonforensic clinicians, the assessment of the patient's
competence has grown in importance, particularly regarding the issues of
informed consent and right to treatment. However, the incompetence of
patients with paranoid states, depression, mania, and anorexia nervosa may
be so subtle that both assessors and the court are deceived, incompetence
is not recognized, and treatment is stalemated. The authors provide
guidelines designed to equip the clinician to assess--and to present in an
effective manner in court--the clinical findings relevant to incompetence,
to the benefit of both the patient's rights and treatment.Abstract Teaser