Explores the theoretical and practical implications of confidentiality and disclosure for professionals working with people who have mental health problems. The work outlines the theoretical, ethical, legal and professional issues which underpin decisions about confidentiality. The contributors draw from their practical experience of a range of professional contexts including adolescent forensic psychiatry, criminal law, secure forensic psychiatry, child protection, community psychiatry and social work. This topical volume should enable professionals, academics and policy makers to meet both the needs of clients and the demands of society through a responsible understanding of the significance of confidentiality and disclosure.
The Paradoxes of Confidentiality: A Philosophical Introduction, Bill Fulford, University of Warwick 1. Confidentiality and Contemporary Practice, Christopher Cordess, Sheffield University and Rampton Hospital. 2. The Doctor-Patient Consultation and Disclosure, Roy McClelland, Queen's University of Belfast and Rob Hale. 3. Confidentiality in Community Psychiatry, George Szmukler and Frank Holloway, Maudsley Hospital. 4. Confidentiality and Young People, Sue Bailey, Adolescent Forensic Services, Manchester. 5. Confidentiality and Child Protection, Judith Trowell, The Tavistock Clinic. 6. Confidentiality in Dual Responsibility Settings, Adarsh Kaul, Nottingham Forensic Service. 7. The Misapplication of 'Reasonable Mindedness': is Psychoanalysis Possible with the Present Reporting Laws in the United States and the United Kingdom, Christopher Bollas. 8. The Myth of Confidentiality A Social Work View, Jacki Pritchard, Freelance Trainer, Consultant and Researcher. 9. The Limits of Confidentiality in Health Care, Paul Cain, University of Reading. 10. Confidentiality - A Legal View, Andrew Hall, Doughty Street Chambers. 11. The Limits of Confidentiality - A Legal View, Anthony Harbour, Scott-Moncrieff, Harbour and Sinclair. 12. Confidentiality and Research in Mental Health, Mike Ferriter, Rampton Hospital and Martin Butwell, Broadmoor Hospital. 13. Themes of Confidentiality in Clinical Practice, Julian Stern, The Royal London Hospital, with contributions from Maurice Greenberg, University College London, Rob Hale, Gill McGauley, George Szmukler and Cleo van Velsen, References. Index.
'This thoughtful and comprehensive book addresses a double bind afflicting doctors and psychotherapists. Material disclosed by patients must be kept confidential at all times: but, increasdingly, in multidisciplinary teams, in forensic contexts, in litigation, in work with children, or with families there is a counter-obligation to breach confidentiality. Is the notion of confidentiality now a myth? Should confidentiality be openly abandoned? Christopher Cordess has gathered together an impressive collection of essays from psychiatry, psychoanalysis, philosophy, the law, social work, and nursing. The essays explore the difficulties of maintaining confidentiality in a wide range of contexts, from prisons to community psychiatry, from child protection to research, from clinical practice to legal practice... Group analysts who work in multidisciplinary teams, with children or young people, or in forensic psychotherapy will gain much from this book. So too will those who, by choice or force, find themselves caught up in litigation, or inquirires, statutory or otherwise. The book is beautifully and meticulously presented, and a pleasure to read.' -Group Analysis
