does anyone know if a psychiatrist can get fired/ lose his liscense if he breaks a patient's confidentiality when the psychiatrist is told about the patient abusing someone or suspects it? this is for a paper thanks!
2007-12-13 09:59:29 · 3 answers · asked by effxxyou22 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
The exact rule for this varies from state to state (psychiatrists are licensed under state law).
One of the earliest state laws came from this case: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarasoff_v._Regents_of_the_University_of_California
Other states followed.
The question of when a psychiatrist/psychologist/priest/etc. is required to break confidentiality in order to help protect a potential victim is a very difficult one. Good luck with your discussion.
2007-12-13 10:10:05 · answer #1 · answered by mountain lady 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A psychiatrist has a legal and ethical duty to break confidentiality if a child or elderly person is in harm or if a client is in imminent danger of hurting himself or someone else.
2007-12-13 18:02:52 · answer #2 · answered by TAT 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Psychiatrists (and other physicians and mental health professionals) are what are known as "mandated reporters" of abuse. What that means is, not only is it OK for them to report suspected abuse but they MUST report it. States vary with respect to specifics, but most laws say that if a child or vulnerable adult (e.g., elderly or handicapped) is being abused a health care professional is obliged to report.
This may not apply if the person being abused is an unimpaired adult, but again states vary.
2007-12-13 18:04:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋