title: Confidentiality in end-of-life and after-death situations.
abstract: Confidentiality is one of the foundations on which psychotherapy is built. Limitations on confidentiality in the therapeutic process have been explained and explored by many authors and organizations. However, controversy and confusion continue to exist with regard to the limitations on confidentiality in situations where clients are considering their options at the end of life and after a client has died. This article review these 2 areas and provides some suggestions for future research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Third Floor, Polsky Building, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325-4301, USA. JWerth@uakron.edu
authors.forename: James L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Werth
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: Rebekah J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Bardash
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D032781:Codes of Ethics; D003219:Confidentiality; D003643:Death; D030881:Disclosure; D017007:Duty to Warn; D036262:Empirical Research; D004995:Ethics, Professional; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D016743:Mental Competency; D024382:Professional Role; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012952:Societies; D013405:Suicide; D017236:Suicide, Assisted; D019452:Terminally Ill