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Original papers: Jonathan Beckett and Robert Chaplin Capacity to consent to treatment in patients with acute mania Psychiatr Bull 2006; 30: 419-422 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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Informed Consent and Capacity

Siraj Salahudeen   (21 November 2006)

Informed Consent and Capacity 21 November 2006
Siraj Salahudeen, Staff Grade Psychiatrist Derbyshire Mental Health Services Trust, Derby Send letter to journal: Re: Informed Consent and Capacity drsirajs{at}hotmail.com Siraj Salahudeen	Beckett et al’s study (November 2006) was commendable, considering the fact that the capacity to consent to treatment in people with mania was not studied before. However, the authors say those patients who could not give informed consent were approached at a later date after clinical improvement. I presume from this statement, the authors obtained informed consent from everyone who entered the study. Although capacity is issue/time specific, I wonder whether the 62% (31 out of 50), of those who were found not to have capacity to consent to treatment, had in fact capacity to make the decision to participate in the study in the first place. Declaration of interest- None Ref: Jonathan Beckett and Robert Chaplin (2006) Capacity to consent to treatment in patients with acute mania. Psychiatric Bulletin 30: 419- 422