Journal Review and Clinical Challenges in Surgical Palliative Care: Assessing Decision-Making Capacity

Join the University of Washington Surgical Palliative Care Team for their final episode of this series — a dual journal review and clinical challenges discussion on assessing medical decision-making capacity. Using Dr. Paul Applebaum’s foundational framework, the team outlines the four key criteria for evaluating capacity and brings the topic to life through two contrasting standardized patient scenarios. This episode highlights why capacity assessment is not only relevant but essential for surgeons navigating complex, high-stakes decisions.

Target Audience

  • Nurses
  • Nurse Practitioners
  • Physicians
  • Physician Assistants

Learning Objectives

  1. Decipher the distinction between the terms “capacity” and “competence”.  
  2. Describe the four criteria for assessing medical decision-making capacity presented in Dr. Paul Applebaum’s article “Assessment of Patients’ Competence to Consent to Treatment.”
  3. Apply the capacity assessment framework to real-world clinical scenarios in surgical practice.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™
  • 0.25 ANCC
  • 0.25 Attendance
  • 0.25 JA Credit - AH
    • 0.25 Approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™
Registration Opens: 
07/15/2025
Registration Expires: 
07/14/2027
Part of: 
Behind the Knife Podcast (2025)
Rating: 
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Virtual, NC 27705
United States
  • Dr.Katie O'Connell
  • Dr.Ali Haruta
  • Dr. Lindsay Dickerson
  • Dr.Virginia Wang
  • AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)
  • ANCC
  • Attendance
  • JA Credit - AH

Available Credit

  • 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™
  • 0.25 ANCC
  • 0.25 Attendance
  • 0.25 JA Credit - AH
    • 0.25 Approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™
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