Mental health issues: ethical considerations.
Employer-initiated psychiatric evaluations raise a number of ethical issues particular to mental health in the workplace. This article addresses the ethical concerns and potential legal implications of psychiatrist and employee role ambiguity (e.g., "mutual deception"); describes the elements common to psychiatric examinations in this setting; offers one way to provide information and documentation of a confidentiality waiver; reviews some differences between psychiatric and general medical IME evaluations; discusses interview and report record "ownership"; reviews dangerousness assessment strengths and limitations; and addresses treatment and restoration to fitness issues.
Fink
Peter M
PM
Section of Psychiatry and the Law, Rush University, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
D003219:Confidentiality; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D008499:Medical Records; D016743:Mental Competency; D008603:Mental Health; D016272:Occupational Health; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D016134:Organizational Policy; D014481:United States