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Journal of Medical Ethics logoLink to Journal of Medical Ethics
. 1980 Dec;6(4):180–184. doi: 10.1136/jme.6.4.180

The concept of 'competence' in medical ethics.

E Baumgarten
PMCID: PMC1154841  PMID: 7463426

Abstract

Dr Baumgarten analyses three possible justifications for doctors to decide that a patient is 'incompetent' to make or participate in medical decisions affecting him, and points out the difficulties of each. He argues that the degree to which a patient relinquishes control over decision-making which affects him will vary in different circumstances and should be explicitly agreed in the initial doctor-patient contract, rather as it often is when a client employs a professional to invest money on his behalf.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Alfidi R. J. Controversy, alternatives, and decisions in complying with the legal doctrine of informed consent. Radiology. 1975 Jan;114(1):231–234. doi: 10.1148/114.1.231. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

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