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Decision-Making Capacity Assessment

Meaning

Decision-Making Capacity Assessment is a clinical and ethical evaluation of an individual’s cognitive ability to understand the relevant information, appreciate the consequences of their choices, reason logically about alternatives, and communicate a consistent choice regarding their medical treatment or personal welfare. This assessment is distinct from a general psychiatric diagnosis and is context-specific, focusing on the functional ability to engage in a particular decision at a specific time. In the context of hormonal health, it ensures informed consent for complex or long-term therapies.