Client competence: Significance and standards

• Main Author: Janet R. Ericksen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pappin Communications 1991-04-01
• Series: Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal
• Online Access: http://www.canadianoncologynursingjournal.com/index.php/conj/article/view/557/557

The nurse's role as advocate requires facilitating the client's informed consent. Individuals with cancer may experience a variety of conditions which may cause confusion and thus interfere with their ability to make informed choices. For this reason, it is important for nurses who work with such clients to understand both the meaning of and the different standards for competence. Competence refers to the ability to make a specific decision at a specific time. It is a critical ability to be able to assess, because it is fundamental to two values upon which western society is built - the principle of autonomy and the principle of beneficence. While standards for competence are controversial, there is a growing consensus that the preferred standard is a sliding scale based on the consequences of the decision. Because of the subjectivity involved in assessing competence and assigning weight and valence to consequences, team members are advised to clarify their own values in this area.