DUTY TO WARN

Case Analysis: Duty To Warn

Case Analysis: Duty To Warn

Introduction

Psychologists strive to maintain high standards of competence in their work. They recognize the boundaries of their particular competencies and the limitations of their expertise but this attitude should also involve the duty to warn. They provide only those services and use only those techniques for which they are qualified by education, training, and experience. Psychologists are cognizant of the fact that the competencies required in serving, teaching or studying groups of people vary with the distinctive characteristics of those groups. In those areas where recognized professional standards do not yet exist, psychologists exercise careful judgment and take appropriate precautions to protect the welfare of those with whom they work which reflects their duty to warn. They maintain knowledge of relevant scientific and professional information related to the services they render, and they recognize the need for ongoing education. In addition to this, psychologists also make appropriate use of scientific, professional, technical, and administrative resources for warning.

Discussion

Maintaining Confidentiality

Various ethical dilemmas related to the maintenance of confidentiality are inherent in the medical setting. The health psychologist has a primary responsibility to the patient. The intricacies of such a responsibility can at times be easily overlooked amid the shuffle of multiple interventions applied by the medical team. Therefore, it is essential that all limitations and exceptions to confidentiality be openly discussed with the patient at the outset of assessment and/or treatment regardless of the estimated length of contact. The health psychologist is also required to inform the patient as to who will have access to assessment results/reports and records of the psychologist-patient interactions. Although not ethically mandated, written documentation of the clinician's explanation and the patient's understanding of confidentiality are recommended from a legal and practical perspective which is the aspect of duty to warn. (American Psychological Association1981)

The health psychologist not only must thoroughly explain confidentiality to the patient but also must ensure that confidentiality is protected. In medical settings, chart information is typically widely accessed by hospital staff. Therefore, it is recommended that, whenever possible, detailed notes be kept separately within the psychologist's therapy records and only cryptic general notes be included as part of the medical chart. This practice protects patient data from possible misinterpretation by non-psychiatric staff and maintains confidentiality of potentially sensitive, yet irrelevant, patient information. (Belar, 1980)

Another issue pertinent to maintaining confidentiality is privacy for psychological consultations. It ...