Health Soc Care Community. 2015 Nov 26. doi: 10.1111/hsc.12310. [Epub ahead of print]
Hinsliff-Smith K, Feakes R, Whitworth G, et al
This systematic literature review evaluated the empirical studies assessing the implementation of the Mental Capacity Act in health and social care practice in frail and older people. Five electronic bibliographic databases combined with a manual search were undertaken with pre-determined exclusion and inclusion criteria. From the searches, 159 articles were screened, 51 full texts were reviewed and 38 articles (describing 33 studies) were included. Three themes were identified: knowledge and understanding of the Act, implementation and tensions in applying the Act, and alternative perspectives of the Act. Inconsistencies in the use of the Act were found across settings. Although training on the Act had been provided, improved knowledge of the Act is needed so it can be used in everyday care. The authors suggest staff need more opportunities to engage, learn and implement the Act, so it can be used better in their clinical practice and therefore benefit patient care.
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