THE TARASOFF CASE ANALYSIS

The Tarasoff Case Analysis



The Tarasoff Case Analysis

Ethical Dilemma:

The Tarasoff case has turned out to be a dilemma for the psycho-therapist. It was the duty of therapist to inform and warn the victim of the coming danger. It was ethically the duty of the therapist to protect and notify the intended victim. (Goldstein, 1992),

Alternative A:

Dr. Moore should have informed Tatiana and her family about the warnings and threat from Podder.

Alternative B:

Doctor Moore should have suggested involuntary admission of Podder in a security hospital for further treatment as she knew Podder since a long time.

Relevant Facts:

A 30 year old boy, named Podder was extremely depressed when he was rejected by a 25 year girl named, Tatiana Tarasoff. He met Tatiana at the university and they both started seeing each other. After sometime she told him that she is not interested in Podder. As a consequence, Podder went under immense emotional pressure. At a suggestion of a friend, Podder started seeing a psychiatrist, Dr. Moore, at the university. He then discussed about his intentions with his psychiatrist. (Roth, 1993) Understanding his situation, Dr. Moore informed the campus police to detain him. Although, Podder was detained, he was soon released on appearing rational. After that, Podder stopped visiting the psychiatrist and ultimately killed Tatiana.

Stakeholders

Psychiatrists, Dr. Moore: Dr. Moore was the psychiatrist of Podder and was the most important stakeholder in this incident. She should have informed Tatiana and her family about the danger that she has from Podder.

Podder: Prosenjit Podder is a 30 year old boy who has killed Tatiana Tarasoff. His interest was to kill the girl who had rejected him.

Tatiana: Tatiana Tarasoff was the victim of the dangerous and lethal intentions of Podder.

Campus Police: The campus police was involved in the situation as Dr. Moore had informed them about his intentions to kill Tatiana. There interest lies in providing all the students safety and ensure that students do not violate the laws. (Bonnie, 1999)

Rights:

Tatiana Tarasoff and her family had the right to know about all the situation and she had the rights to be protected against the danger that was to her life from Podder.

The doctor had the right to move the psychiatrists to a security hospital.

Podder had the rights that his confidentiality should be maintained as a patient.

Duties:

It was the duty of the psychiatrist to inform Tatiana and her family about the intentions of Podder.

It was the duty of Dr. Moore and campus police to provide protection to Tatiana Tarasoff against Podder.

The Patient is comfortable if the psychiatrist or the practitioner is confident and gives privacy. In order to ensure that patient provides the doctor with all the necessary information, it must be assured that their secrets will not be disclosed without the doctor's consent. (Truscott, 1993)

As being a psychiatrist of Podder it was her duty to report any action or dangerous behavior as domestic violence and to prescribe the patient with proper medicine in order to control his mental ...