Confidentiality in crisis: Part I--The duty to inform.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the ethical and legal imperatives to protect third parties from harm in circumstances often believed to be protected by doctor-patient confidentiality.


METHODS
A review of recent legislative changes and legal decisions pertaining to a psychiatrist's duty to warn.


CONCLUSIONS
The current legislative and legal climate presents many risks to the concept of doctor-patient confidentiality. Psychiatrists must carefully consider any guarantees of confidentiality made to patients and must discuss the limits of confidentiality when obtaining consent for treatment.
Glancy
G D
GD
Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Ontario. graham.glancy@utoronto.ca
Regehr
C
C
Bryant
A G
AG
D002170:Canada; D003219:Confidentiality / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D003419:Crisis Intervention; D017007:Duty to Warn / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans