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Ethics & Legal for USMLE Step 1 | Stomp On Step1

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Capacity is a person’s mental ability to make informed decisions about their own health. A capacitated individual has to be able to understand the medical information given to them, retain that information, use the information given to them to make an informed decision and communicate that decision to their providers. The decision they make must be in line with their previous beliefs and not be the result of psychiatric symptoms (hallucinations of delusions). Certain psychiatric disorders, neurologic diseases, lack of consciousness, developmental disorders, age, severe pain, drugs or alcohol can all temporarily or permanently prevent someone from being capacitated. A couple clinical indicators or concern by a family member is not enough to deem a patient incompetent. A thorough examination of the patient must be performed before a patient is deemed incompetent. Patients are assumed to be competent until there is substantial proof showing otherwise. An individual who lacks capacity cann

Ethical Principles Autonomy = respect patient’s decisions about their own health Non-maleficence = do no harm. Can still take calculated risk if potential benefits outweigh the potential risks Beneficence = promote patients best interests Justice = distribute medical benefits fairly and do not discriminate against any particular group Capacity/Competence Capacity is a person’s mental ability to make informed decisions about their own health. A capacitated individual has to be able to understand the medical information given to them, retain that information, use the information given to them to

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