Moral Dilemma: The Principle of Psychiatric Confidentiality?

Question

You are a psychiatrist and your patient has just confided to you that he intends to kill a woman. You're inclined to dismiss the threat as idle, but you aren't sure. Should you report the threat to the police and the woman or should you remain silent as the principle of confidentiality between psychiatrist and patient demands? Should there be a law that compels you to report such threats?

the point in moral (same thing as an ethical dilemma I might add) dilemma exercises is to decide based on the choices you have. You cannot make up other possible choices, they do not exist and nothing else is possible. They are designed so that you are forced to challenge your morals and make a decision on "what would you do."

moral dilemma copied from
http://www.friesian.com/valley/dilemmas.htm

Answer 1

They already have that law, psychiatrists are mandated reporters so they would have to report to the authorities if people are a danger to themselves or others.

Answer 2

Actually, there are laws covering this matter. Psychiatrists are required by law to warn either the police or the target of a patient's intentions if the psychiatrist believes the patient will actually commit the actions in question. I think these questions may be a little outdated. It's simply a matter of law, not morality. Anyone with prior knowledge that a crime will be committed can, and often will, be charged as an accessory to that crime. If the charge of accessory is a felony charge, then if anyone dies during the commission of the crimes in question, regardless of whether or not the intention was murder, the person charged as an accessory can also be charged with felony murder in many states.

Answer 3

I don't think the whole confidentiality agreement still stands if the person is perceived to be a danger to themself or someone else.I mean it's not a priest we're talking about.Plus a Psychiatrist is like a doctor so they are probably sworn to do whatever they can to actually save a life.Not keep quiet if they knew their was threat of one being harmed or killed.Then I don't think they have to keep that.As a matter of fact it'd probably be against the law and more often than not if the person is mentally ill and are serious he'd be admitted to a psychiatric hospital for being homicidal or suicidal...depending

Answer 4

Uh, there are laws on the books that make it a requirement for psychiatrists to report any imminent threats to police...

If there were not, then screw confidentiality - a life is more important that a person's privacy.

Answer 5

while a psychiatrist starts treating a affected person they in many cases make a private contract with them (it is verbal), the place they state to the affected person that one and all practise is dealt with as private, usless they intend to wreck themselves or others. So for that reason the psychiatrist could be morally certain to tell the police of the risk.

Answer 6

Boy you sure like asking these questions.

No, doctor patient confidentiality dose not apply to an ongoing crime like spouse abuse, or a crime that might happen such as murder.

If a physician has any information to prevent a heinous crime then he is morally obligated to do so.

Answer 7

Have you not read from the Holy scriptures that one should love his or her neighbour AS ONES SELF ? Since when is a man-made "confidential" law, super cede that of God's? What if that person on this person's "hit-list", was your own mother or father? People, who devise plans to place harm and hurt on others are mentally & spiritually SICK and therefore, need to be segragated from those of us, who desire to NOTdo so. Agree? !!!

Answer 8

in reality what would happen here is the psychiatrist would respond with "you are a treat to yourself or others therefor you will be committed to a medical facility for observation"

the confidentiality is not what most would think, in the medical field they will not let you got if they think you are a danger to yourself or others

Answer 9

This one is easy as a medical professional you are required by law to Baker act this pt. he will be sent to a psych hospital for a manditory 72 hours.

Answer 10

As a drugs counsellor I was told to report anything that may harm a child..I would talk to my supervisor if I was unsure.