title: Personal privacy versus public accountability: a technological solution to an ethical dilemma.
abstract: The tension between personal privacy and public accountability produces one of the major ethical dilemmas facing behavioral health program evaluators and service system researchers. This article discusses the source of this tension and introduces a research methodology that allows program evaluators to fully and equally respect both ethical principles. This methodology uses contemporary computer and statistical technology in conjunction with aggregated, de-identified information derived from existing databases to provide valid and reliable measures of the performance of treatment programs while it protects the personal privacy of individuals.
authors.affiliation: Vermont Department of Developmental and Mental Health Services, Waterbury 05671-1601, USA. johnpa@dmh.state.vt.us
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Pandiani
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Banks
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Schacht
mesh_terms: D032781:Codes of Ethics; D003219:Confidentiality; D004995:Ethics, Professional; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D019451:Information Management / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D011336:Probability; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000592:standards*; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards; D012935:Social Justice; D012941:Social Responsibility; D012945:Social Values; D014707:Vermont