tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627739177988026073.post6303784534704910928..comments2024-03-11T22:06:39.045-07:00Comments on BehaveNet® Opinion: Commentary on Opinions of APA Ethics Committeemoviedochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03617061594621924756noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627739177988026073.post-67188327962411126562009-12-31T15:04:26.481-08:002009-12-31T15:04:26.481-08:00Thanks for the comments. In psychiatry, instead of...Thanks for the comments. In psychiatry, instead of 6 months before starting a non-professional relationship, we generally say never. I tend to agree.moviedochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03617061594621924756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627739177988026073.post-53070854142720002542009-12-31T14:15:57.548-08:002009-12-31T14:15:57.548-08:00I have some comments from an internist's persp...I have some comments from an internist's perspective. <br /><br />If a psychiatrist (MD after the name) regularly practices primary care for patients, a practice that does not seem common, but, none-the-less if the psychiatrist does regularly do this for most of his/her patients a gynecologic exam, with a third party female attendant present for male psychiatrists, does not seem unreasonable on the surface.<br /><br />Regarding A.1.e. if a psychiatrist and a patient want to strike up a personal/romantic relationship the AMA has recommended formally ending the clinical relationship, waiting 6 months, then setting out on a personal relationship. In psychiatry this perhaps should be a strict guideline.<br /><br />Using patient information for media publication is difficult. I would be inclined to exclude anything attributing patient identification in any media disclosure. But if there is a need to disclose personal information about the patient under the guise of "his/her consent" it may be reasonable to have third party evaluate the patient's "capacity" to be clear and uninfluenced by the patient/doctor relationship. This is a murky situation though.<br /><br />Finally, regarding a psychiatrist's willingness to accept gifts, like a ride home from a patient, would fall into the realm of motivation. A gift as an expression of pure gratitude, beyond financial payment to the psychiatrist, seems less murky than a gift that leads to secondary gain for the patient, such as the possibility of starting a relationship between patient and psychiatrist. A young, attractive patient offering a ride home could seem suspect as compared to a geriatric patient bringing in a fruit basket.<br /><br />J O'B.jo'bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14414428887193601230noreply@blogger.com