title: A proposed exception to the AIDS confidentiality laws for psychiatric patients.
abstract: The authors offer psychotherapists a proposed exception to strict acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related confidentiality laws. The proposal is based on previously established exceptions to the psychotherapist-patient privilege. The recommended breach of confidentiality applies only to cases that meet all of the following criteria: (1) A patient knows that he or she has a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive blood test and has been informed of AIDS-related safety precautions, (2) the HIV-positive patient has a mental disorder, and (3) it is reasonable to believe that the mental disorder has significantly impaired or may significantly impair the patient's ability and behavior to follow AIDS-related safety precautions.
authors.affiliation: University of Southern California, Department of Psychiatry, Los Angeles.
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Botello
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Weinberger
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Gross
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000328:Adult; D003219:Confidentiality / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D028642:Persons with Psychiatric Disorders; D014481:United States