CONFIDENTIALITY PRINCIPLES IN PSYCHIATRY

Authors

  • B. CARASEVICI University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” – Iaşi

Keywords:

ETHICAL CONTROVERSY, PROFESSIONAL GROUPS, GAIN OF TRUST, PSYCHOTHERAPEUTICAL RELATIONSHIP

Abstract

Confidentiality stands out in psychiatry through its multiple connotations as an intrinsic necessity in the ethics of professional relationships. Thus it represents an important characteristic of this profession and at the same time a stringent request which, through its specificity, implies a direct contact with persons in need for help. Despite being inserted in professional codes and legislative systems, confidentiality in psychiatry is far from being considered a clarified matter and does not stand aside from ethical controversy. Keeping the professional secret is often a hard task due to the pressure of the law or of other professional groups who can bring multiple justifications, including that of action for the benefit of society. The therapist is often submitted to a tension caused on the one hand by the promise of keeping the professional secret and on the other hand by multiple requests of breaking the confidentiality. So the problem of confidentiality in Psychiatry deserves special attention because in this profession, more than in other branches of medicine, the gain of the patient’s trust is essential in the psychotherapeutic relationship.

Author Biography

  • B. CARASEVICI, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” – Iaşi

    Faculty of Medicine
    Department of Preventive Medicine and Interdisciplinarity

References

1. Brânzei P. Itinerar psihiatric. Junimea, Iaşi, 1979.
2. Scripcaru Gh, Astărăstoae V, Scripcaru C. Principii de bioetică, deontologie şi drept medical. Omnia, Iaşi, 1994.
3. Achmid D, Appelbaum PS, Roth LH, Lidz L. Confidentiality in psychiatry: a study of the pacient’s view. Hospital and Community Psychiatry 1983; 34: 353-355.
4. Appelbaum PS, Kappen G, Walters B, Lidz L, Roth LH. Confidentiality: an empirical test of the utilitarian perspective. Bulletin of the American Academy of Psychiatry 1984; 12: 109-116.
5. Smart J, Williams B. Utilitarianism. For and Against. Cambridge University Press, 1973.
6. Dyer A. R. Confidentiality, Trust and the Therapeutic Alliance. American Psychiatric Press, Wash-ington D.C., 1988.
7. Lindenthal, Thomas J.J. Psychiatrists, the public and confidentiality. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease 1982; 170: 319-323.
8. Bloch S, Chodoff P, Reich W. Psychiatric ethics. Oxford University Press 1991.
9. Pirozynski T. Psihiatria şi condiţia umană. Psihomnia, Iaşi, 1995.
10. Romanescu C. Pasărea Phoenix. Contact Internaţional, Iaşi, 1997.
11. Priboi R.N. Despre suferinţa mentală. Viaţa medicală românească, 2001.
12. Chiriţă V, Papari A. Tratat de psihiatrie. Ed. Fundaţiei „Andrei Şaguna”, Constanţa, 2002.

Additional Files

Published

2015-03-31

Issue

Section

PREVENTIVE MEDICINE - LABORATORY