Informed consent to e-therapy.
E-therapy, the provision of mental health treatment through the Internet, poses many risks as well as benefits. This article addresses some relevant risks and benefits of e-therapy and discusses the practicality of using computers in the informed consent process. Although e-therapy has numerous proponents, no clinical trials have assessed its long-term effectiveness. To limit liability and to protect patients, e-therapy providers should disclose material risks as well as possible benefits and engage patients in an active dialogue. A thorough informed consent procedure enables patients to make an educated decision about whether e-therapy is right for them. In the future, e-therapy and informed consent online may become more common; in the mean time, clinicians must be prepared for e-therapy's uncertain legal status and allow patients to decide for themselves whether or not to seek counseling on the Internet.
Recupero
Patricia R
PR
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA. Patricia_Recupero@Brown.edu
Rainey
Samara E
SE
D003219:Confidentiality / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D034742:Electronic Mail / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D020407:Internet / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014481:United States; D049269:Videoconferencing / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence