RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 The concept of 'competence' in medical ethics. JF Journal of Medical Ethics JO J Med Ethics FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics SP 180 OP 184 DO 10.1136/jme.6.4.180 VO 6 IS 4 A1 E Baumgarten YR 1980 UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/6/4/180.abstract AB Dr Baumgarten analyses three possible justifications for doctors to decide that a patient is 'incompetent' to make or participate in medical decisions affecting him, and points out the difficulties of each. He argues that the degree to which a patient relinquishes control over decision-making which affects him will vary in different circumstances and should be explicitly agreed in the initial doctor-patient contract, rather as it often is when a client employs a professional to invest money on his behalf.