(Involuntary) Psychiatric treatment of geriatric patients ... - OHSU Home

Proxy Decision Making
But what if the patient says “NO” to psychiatric treatment?
A patient’s right to self-determination in treatment is an overriding
principle in medical ethics.
Patient self-determination is addressed through the framework of
informed consent and related concepts of mental capacity and best
interests.
When decisional capacity is limited, the need for a proxy becomes
apparent.
Proxy decision makers may include legal guardians, healthcare power
of attorneys (HCPOA), family members, medical personnel and
others, amongst whom prioritization is determined via legislative
policy.