title: Case reports: Publication standards in forensic psychiatry.
abstract: Psychiatrists who publish case reports are required to seek informed consent from their subjects on the basis of the ethics-related obligation to maintain patient confidentiality. Academic journals have developed editorial standards to fulfill this obligation. Forensic evaluations do not create a doctor-patient relationship in the traditional sense, and information obtained through a forensic evaluation may also be found in the public domain. This public exposure is particularly likely, given the development of open access publishing standards, online journals, and increasing professional involvement in social media. This article outlines the ethics of informed consent in published case reports for general and forensic psychiatry and offers recommendations for forensic case study publishing. The authors suggest changes in the current requirements stated in The Journal for publication of case reports.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Hanson is Clinical Assistant Professor and Director, Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD. Dr. Martinez is Robert D. Miller Professor of Psychiatry and Law, University of Colorado Denver Medical School and Director of Forensic Services, Denver Health Medical Center, Denver, CO; Dr. Candilis is Director, Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship, St. Elizabeths Hospital, Department of Behavioral Health, Washington, DC. annette.hanson@maryland.gov.
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hanson
authors.affiliation: Dr. Hanson is Clinical Assistant Professor and Director, Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD. Dr. Martinez is Robert D. Miller Professor of Psychiatry and Law, University of Colorado Denver Medical School and Director of Forensic Services, Denver Health Medical Center, Denver, CO; Dr. Candilis is Director, Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship, St. Elizabeths Hospital, Department of Behavioral Health, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: Dr. Hanson is Clinical Assistant Professor and Director, Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD. Dr. Martinez is Robert D. Miller Professor of Psychiatry and Law, University of Colorado Denver Medical School and Director of Forensic Services, Denver Health Medical Center, Denver, CO; Dr. Candilis is Director, Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship, St. Elizabeths Hospital, Department of Behavioral Health, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: Philip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Candilis
mesh_terms: D022126:Access to Information / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards*; D008499:Medical Records / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010506:Periodicals as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D011643:Publishing / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States