Decision-making ability | Definition | Sample questions |
Understanding | The ability to state the meaning of the relevant information (eg, diagnosis, risks and benefits of a treatment or procedure, indications, and options of care). | After disclosing a piece of information, pause and ask the patient: "Can you tell me in your own words what I just said about [fill in the topic disclosed]?" |
Expressing a choice | The ability to state a decision. | "Based on what we've just discussed about [insert the topic], what would you choose?" |
Appreciation | The ability to explain how information applies to oneself. | To assess appreciation of diagnosis: "Can you tell me in your own words what you see as your medical problem?" To assess appreciation of benefit: "Regardless of what your choice is, do you think that it is possible the medication can benefit you?" To assess appreciation of risk: "Regardless of what your choice is, do you think it is possible the medication can harm you?" |
Reasoning | The ability to compare information and infer consequences of choices. | To assess comparative reasoning: "How is X better than Y?" To assess consequential reasoning: "How could X affect your daily activities?" |