COMPETENCE ASSESSMENTS - PERCEPTIONS AT FOLLOW-UP

Objectives: To report on the perceptions of assessment of competency a nd its consequences on a group of clients and significant others a fol low-up. Methods: Ninety-Jive interviews were conducted using a careful ly developed semistructured telephone interview of 24 clients and 71 f amily/caregivers, representing the perceptions of about 80 clients. Re sults: There was general satisfaction in the competency assessment pro cess. There was a perception that interests and rights were protected Clients were seen to be less involved in all spheres of decision makin g regardless of capacity outcome. Clients and families were satisfied with how decisions were made. Conclusions: Follow-up study of competen cy assessment does not support the conclusions previously drawn based on court record studies that assessments are deleterious and frequentl y results in violations of rights.