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A casebook in psychiatrie ethics (report #129)
666
Book Reviews
tively minor compared to the contribution this work has made to the field. At a time when empirical research often precedes a thorough understanding of current knowledge, Jenlousy stands as a testament to the value of scholarly research and thought in both research and clinical practice. WILLIAM H. BERMAN Fordham Uniuel-sity REFERENCES Kelley, H. H., Berscheid, E., Christensen, A., Harvey, J. H., Huston, T. L., Levinger, G., MCClintock, E., Peplau, L. A., & Peterson, D. R. (1983). Close rrlntmnshipa. San Francisco: W. H. Freeman. Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, flppmd U cqbing. New York: Springer.
A Casebook in Psychiatric Ethics (Report #129). Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry. New York: Brunner/Mazel Publishers, 1990, 113 pp. $14.95 paper, $21.95 cloth. The
Group
for the Advancement
of Psychiatry
has a series
of “reports”
review-
ing various issues involved in the practice of psychiatry. This report is intended to be an introduction to psychiatric ethics, although many of the issues involved are equally applicable to psychology. The report is divided into cases which elucidate various ethical dilemmas and is intended to be used most effectively in facilitating small-group discussions. The 17 cases are divided into five chapters addressing the issues of “Valid consent and Refusal,” “Problems in Psychiatric Paternalism,” “Relationships with or Sexual Attraction Between Psychiatrists and Patients,” Colleagues, ” “Romantic and “Problems of Confidentiality and Double-Agentry.” At the end of the manuscript is a chapter reviewing basic ethical concepts and a section listing the principles of medical ethics, with annotations especially applicable to psychiatry. The cases address important issues in today’s practice (e.g., AIDS, involuntary commitment, duty to warn, impaired professionals, etc). Individuals reading the book, with a general background in ethics, will find it somewhat elementary (as is its purpose), but with cases relevant to today’s pracThose not familiar with various ethical tice of either psychology or psychiatry. theories may find the book somewhat frustrating unless they initially read the last (ethical background) chapter. is very effective for the initiation
When used in small-groups, the case method of a vigorous discussion, but without direction
or participation of an instructor who is familiar with the area the group can often digress into ethical relativism. As Director of Clinical Training, I have used sections of the casebook when instructing a group of clinical psychology interns in a “case-conference” format and found it quite useful for defining the various ethical issues involved. I would have preferred more detailed descriptions of various ethical theories and the justification for invoking any particular theory, but for the purposes of a “casebook,” and not a “textbook,” this report does the job quite nicely. DAVID
J. MILLER
The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and VA Medical Center
Book Reviews
tively minor compared to the contribution this work has made to the field. At a time when empirical research often precedes a thorough understanding of current knowledge, Jenlousy stands as a testament to the value of scholarly research and thought in both research and clinical practice. WILLIAM H. BERMAN Fordham Uniuel-sity REFERENCES Kelley, H. H., Berscheid, E., Christensen, A., Harvey, J. H., Huston, T. L., Levinger, G., MCClintock, E., Peplau, L. A., & Peterson, D. R. (1983). Close rrlntmnshipa. San Francisco: W. H. Freeman. Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, flppmd U cqbing. New York: Springer.
A Casebook in Psychiatric Ethics (Report #129). Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry. New York: Brunner/Mazel Publishers, 1990, 113 pp. $14.95 paper, $21.95 cloth. The
Group
for the Advancement
of Psychiatry
has a series
of “reports”
review-
ing various issues involved in the practice of psychiatry. This report is intended to be an introduction to psychiatric ethics, although many of the issues involved are equally applicable to psychology. The report is divided into cases which elucidate various ethical dilemmas and is intended to be used most effectively in facilitating small-group discussions. The 17 cases are divided into five chapters addressing the issues of “Valid consent and Refusal,” “Problems in Psychiatric Paternalism,” “Relationships with or Sexual Attraction Between Psychiatrists and Patients,” Colleagues, ” “Romantic and “Problems of Confidentiality and Double-Agentry.” At the end of the manuscript is a chapter reviewing basic ethical concepts and a section listing the principles of medical ethics, with annotations especially applicable to psychiatry. The cases address important issues in today’s practice (e.g., AIDS, involuntary commitment, duty to warn, impaired professionals, etc). Individuals reading the book, with a general background in ethics, will find it somewhat elementary (as is its purpose), but with cases relevant to today’s pracThose not familiar with various ethical tice of either psychology or psychiatry. theories may find the book somewhat frustrating unless they initially read the last (ethical background) chapter. is very effective for the initiation
When used in small-groups, the case method of a vigorous discussion, but without direction
or participation of an instructor who is familiar with the area the group can often digress into ethical relativism. As Director of Clinical Training, I have used sections of the casebook when instructing a group of clinical psychology interns in a “case-conference” format and found it quite useful for defining the various ethical issues involved. I would have preferred more detailed descriptions of various ethical theories and the justification for invoking any particular theory, but for the purposes of a “casebook,” and not a “textbook,” this report does the job quite nicely. DAVID
J. MILLER
The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and VA Medical Center