The January 10 New York Times quoted psychiatrist Torrey with regard to accused Arizona mass murderer Loughner: “I’d say the chances are 99 percent that he has schizophrenia.” (Red Flags at a College, but Tied Hands)
According to Section 7.3 of the Ethics Code of The American Psychiatric Association, "On occasion psychiatrists are asked for an opinion about an individual who is in the light of public attention or who has disclosed information about himself/herself through public media. In such circumstances, a psychiatrist may share with the public his or her expertise about psychiatric issues in general. However, it is unethical for a psychiatrist to offer a professional opinion unless he or she has conducted an examination and has been granted proper authorization for such a statement."
Are we to believe that Dr. Torrey conducted an examination and obtained authorization? Was he acting ethically when he made the statement (assuming that's what he actually said)?
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So it's unethical for E. Fuller Torrey to suggest that Loughner might be schizophrenic, but it's okay for Rush Limbaugh or Rachel Maddow to do so?
ReplyDeleteI'm not familiar with whatever code of ethics might hold sway over Rush Limbaugh or Rachel Maddow. What do you think, pj1280?
ReplyDeleteWell, it's obvious the guy is either a nut-case or he has a screw loose (but then I am not a mechanic). -- Of course Torrey shouldn't offer a diagnosis, nor should he pretend that it is so precise (99% indeed! I would have guessed 92.)
ReplyDelete"Nut case?" "Screw Loose?" Are those some of those proposed new DSM-5 diagnoses? Why shouldn't Torrey offer a diagnosis? I have it on good authority now that he is not even a member of APA. Should he even be bound by the Ethics Code? That 99% is certainly up there. In expert testimony at trial the accepted level of "medical degree of certainty" is usually only 51% ("more likely than not").
ReplyDeleteHa ha. I think there are ways to convey a medical opinion that do not violate any ethical guidelines, but ethical guidelines only apply to ethical individuals. I'm a forensic psychiatrist (a real, board-certified card-carrying member of AAPL and some other groups) but the "experts" I meet in many of my cases are sometimes not even regular ABPN-certified, let alone members of any professional groups. And they are out there charging big bucks for bought opinions without any compunctions. PLUS - this is the real kicker - whether or not Loughner is schizophrenic is only a small component of whether or not he can be found legally insane, which is a totally different standard. Which Torrey for all his fame and fortune might not even know!
ReplyDeleteI think the point here is that Dr. Fuller is held to ethical standards becasue of his profession. When we ask Rush Limbaugh about Mr. Loughner we understand that Rush's opinion is not one of a professional psychiatrist capable and qualified to Dx mental health issues described in the DSM-IVTR. I do believe that Dr. Fuller's opinion is unethical.
ReplyDelete"According to Section 7.3 of the Ethics Code of The American Psychiatric Association"
ReplyDeleteDoes the APA Ethics code have any legal standing or any kind of enforcement on nonmembers? Not trying to be difficult, but it seems it would not unless codified in whatever state Torrey was in (and I have no idea on that).
If not, then Torrey's actions would be no more unethical than if he contravened the Bosnian Plumber's Guide.
Otherwise, you can talk morality and proper action but not ethics.