Mental disorders and public safety of the community at large--does the Tarasoff principle apply in Singapore?
The Tarasoff Principle is a legal ruling arising out of the Tarasoff case in California, in which 2 therapists were found by a court to be negligent for not warning an intended victim of a threat to her by their mentally disordered patient, and she was subsequently killed. The 2 therapists were deemed to have an obligation to protect an intended victim of a patient who presented a serious danger of violence. The question is whether this would apply under Singapore law, and whether an act of disclosure to protect a victim would be a breach of confidentiality and the doctor-patient relationship.
Kok
L P
LP
Kok & Tsoi Psychiatric Clinic, 6 Napier Road, #04-11 Gleneagles Medical Centre, Singapore 258499.
Yap
H L
HL
Cheang
M
M
D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011634:Public Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012449:Safety / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012846:Singapore; D012941:Social Responsibility