A Case for Psychiatric Leadership in Dispositional Capacity Assessment

Dispositional capacity assessment, which evaluates a patient's ability for self-care after hospital discharge, is a novel concept with important implications for work in consultation-liaison, inpatient, and emergency psychiatric settings. In this Open Forum, the authors present an illustrative case, review literature relevant to dispositional capacity, and explore social theory that elucidates the concept. Psychiatrists are specifically positioned to provide leadership in this area. Psychiatrists should consider further developing and formalizing criteria for dispositional capacity assessment.