Abstract

Many gray areas remain regarding patients’ capacity to consent, despite the existence of laws in that regard. Decision-making capacity is lost in some patients, as dementia progresses. This study investigates the geriatricians’ understanding of the principle of autonomy and their perception of the decision-making capacity (DMC) testing among patients with (Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The secondary aim was to propose an algorithm for a reliable, comprehensive, and valid assessment of DMC. A cross-sectional descriptive study was designed to empirically collect data via an e-survey. Geriatricians were approached via a phone call, to provide them with study-specific information. Those who accepted to participate received a link to the study’s survey via e-mail. Among the eligible geriatricians, 75% had completed the e-survey, with a mean of 14.7 ± 9.6 years of experience. More than half of the geriatricians failed to recognize that assessing the patients’ DMC is an integral component of the informed consent (IC) process. Yet, 88.9% assessed the DMC of their patients with AD using different modalities. However, the majority were unable to justify their judgment of DMC based on the tools they have selected. Lebanese geriatricians have demonstrated a poor understanding of the concept of autonomy and failed to recognize the need for the DMC assessment as a component of the IC’s process. Moreover, they were unable to select adequate tools to assess and judge the DMC of their patients with AD.

摘要

尽管存在法律方面的规定，但仍有很多灰色区域涉及患者的同意能力。随着痴呆症的进展，某些患者的决策能力下降。这项研究调查了老年医师对自主原则的理解以及他们对（阿尔茨海默氏病（AD））患者的决策能力（DMC）测试的看法，其次要目的是提出一种可靠，全面且可靠的算法。对DMC的有效评估：设计了一项横断面描述性研究，以通过电子调查以经验方式收集数据；通过电话与老年科医生联系，向他们提供特定于研究的信息。通过电子邮件进行的研究调查在符合条件的老年医师中，有75％的人完成了电子调查，平均为14.7±9。6年的经验。超过一半的老年医师未能意识到评估患者的DMC是知情同意（IC）流程不可或缺的组成部分。然而，有88.9％的人使用不同的方式评估了AD患者的DMC。但是，大多数人无法根据他们选择的工具证明对DMC的判断是正确的。黎巴嫩老人医师对自治的概念了解甚少，未能认识到将DMC评估作为IC程序组成部分的必要性。此外，他们无法选择适当的工具来评估和判断其AD患者的DMC。9％的患者使用不同的方式评估了其AD患者的DMC。但是，大多数人无法根据他们选择的工具证明对DMC的判断是正确的。黎巴嫩老人医师对自治的概念了解甚少，未能认识到将DMC评估作为IC程序组成部分的必要性。此外，他们无法选择适当的工具来评估和判断其AD患者的DMC。9％的患者使用不同的方式评估了其AD患者的DMC。但是，大多数人无法根据他们选择的工具证明对DMC的判断是正确的。黎巴嫩老人医师对自治的概念了解甚少，未能认识到将DMC评估作为IC程序组成部分的必要性。此外，他们无法选择适当的工具来评估和判断其AD患者的DMC。