Curatorship applications: The role of neuropsychology

Abstract

This article highlights ethical issues that may arise in the relationship between curatorship applications and neuropsychology. In South Africa (SA), curatorship applications for the elderly diagnosed with dementia require substantiation from two medical professionals, one of whom should be a practising psychiatrist deemed competent to provide this. Concurrently, there is often a request for a psychologist to conduct a neuropsychological assessment and to produce a relevant report. The process may result in ethical issues at various stages of the assessment. The balance between protecting the patient’s rights v. freedom of autonomy becomes a central issue. Psychiatrists and psychologists are cautioned to adhere to best practices throughout the assessment, maintaining a critical and reflective stance. The limitations of cognitive assessment as a predictor of functionality should be considered. Furthermore, neuropsychological training in SA differs across institutions, resulting in variable practitioner competency. ‘Competency’ itself is an ambiguous legal term that may be interpreted variably. This article outlines the definitions and requirements of the curatorship process, as well as the role and limitations of neuropsychology, with emphasis on the ethical dilemmas that may arise.