Brookhaven Seminar Series: "Competence and Compassion: Ethical Evaluation of Decision Making Capacity in Geriatrics" Presented by Ros Burrows, Ph.D.

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"Competence and Compassion: Ethical Evaluation of Decision Making Capacity in Geriatrics" Presented by Ros Burrows, Ph.D.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

This presentation examines the ethical and practical aspects of competency evaluation in geriatric populations. It is an evaluation of when competency is detrimental and when it is critical. The confounding influence of the examiner's and family's values is stressed. This presentation overviews which cognitive domains must be assessed for a comprehensive evaluation. Finally, the presentation reviews a number of case studies highlighting the intricacies of rendering an accurate and fair conclusion.

GOALS:
1. Understanding when to initiate an evaluation and when to leave it alone
2. Appreciating how our own values can cloud our judgment of competency
3. Learning to craft the precise referral question or target for the evaluation
4. Knowing which cognitive domains should be assessed
5. Identifying the complexities of various real-life competency decisions.

Click here to view a pdf of Dr. Burrow's presentation (97.8 Kb)

Speaker Profile

Ros Burrows, Ph.D.

Dr. Burrows is a clinical neuropsychologist who has specialized in traumatic brain injury for the last 18 years. He has served as Program and Executive Director for three brain injury programs and served five years on the Board of Directors for the Oklahoma Brain Injury Association, including terms as interim President and Vice President. He currently has a private practice in Tulsa and serves as staff neuropsychologist for Meadowbrook Specialty Hospital, with an emphasis on geriatrics and competency issues.

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