‘Evaluation of testamentary capacity: A systematic review’

IF 1.4 4区医学 Q1 LAW

International Journal of Law and Psychiatry Pub Date : 2024-03-01 DOI:10.1016/j.ijlp.2024.101969

Himaja Aravind , Mark Taylor , Neeraj Gill

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective

To systematically review the literature on methods for the standardized and objective assessment of Testamentary Capacity (TC), to identify the best evidence-based and clinically pragmatic method to assess TC. Doubts concerning TC can have far-reaching legal and financial implications.

Method

A systematic search of the literature was conducted, using PRISMA guidelines, to identify studies which describe methods or tools for the assessment of TC.

Results

The Testamentary Definition Scale (TDS); the Testamentary Capacity Assessment Tool (TCAT); and the Testamentary Capacity Instrument (TCI) all have good psychometric properties, but TDS only partially assesses TC, and the TCI is designed for research rather than day-to-day clinical practice.

Conclusion

The TCAT could usefully supplement the clinical assessment of TC, coupled with a standardized examination of cognition. There is room to develop an all-encompassing TC assessment tool. Currently, the clinical judgement of a medical professional, taking account of the medical, legal, ethical issues informing a capacity or competency decision, remains the gold standard for assessing TC.

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遗嘱能力评估：系统回顾

目的系统回顾有关遗嘱能力（Testamentary Capacity，TC）标准化客观评估方法的文献，以确定基于证据且临床实用的最佳TC评估方法。方法采用 PRISMA 指南对文献进行了系统检索，以确定哪些研究介绍了评估遗嘱能力的方法或工具。结果遗嘱定义量表（TDS）、遗嘱能力评估工具（TCAT）和遗嘱能力工具（TCI）均具有良好的心理测量特性，但TDS仅能部分评估TC，而TCI是为研究而非日常临床实践而设计的。开发一种全面的 TC 评估工具还有很大的空间。目前，医疗专业人员的临床判断，考虑到医疗、法律、伦理等问题，为行为能力或能力决定提供依据，仍然是评估行为能力的黄金标准。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

International Journal of Law and Psychiatry Multiple-

CiteScore

4.70

自引率

8.70%

发文量

审稿时长

41 days

期刊介绍： The International Journal of Law and Psychiatry is intended to provide a multi-disciplinary forum for the exchange of ideas and information among professionals concerned with the interface of law and psychiatry. There is a growing awareness of the need for exploring the fundamental goals of both the legal and psychiatric systems and the social implications of their interaction. The journal seeks to enhance understanding and cooperation in the field through the varied approaches represented, not only by law and psychiatry, but also by the social sciences and related disciplines.