title: Balancing patient care and confidentiality: considerations in obtaining collateral information.
abstract: Collateral information facilitates comprehensive mental health care and is consistent with recovery-oriented models of care. But providers are often faced with complex decisions about obtaining collateral information, particularly when patients do not consent to communication with third parties for information gathering. Such situations require a thoughtful balance of best clinical practices, legal and ethical responsibilities, and patient safety concerns. This column offers an overview of the clinical utility of collateral information as well as the ethical and legal regulations concerning confidentiality that guide the process of obtaining collateral information. The risk-benefit analysis process related to obtaining collateral information without patient permission is illustrated. Recommendations about clinical consultation and documentation that facilitate optimal and ethical patient care are offered.
authors.affiliation: PETRIK: Psychology Postdoctoral Fellow at the Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Denver VA Medical Center, Denver, and Instructor in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO BILLERA: Clinical/Research Social Worker at the Rocky Mountain MIRECC, Denver VA, and Adjunct Professor at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work, Denver KAPLAN: Clinical Research Assistant at the Rocky Mountain MIRECC, Denver VA Medical Center, Denver MATARAZZO: Co-Director of the Rocky Mountain MIRECC Suicide Consultation Service, Rocky Mountain MIRECC, Denver VA, and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of Colorado, Aurora WORTZEL: Michael K. Cooper Professor of Neurocognitive Disease, Director of Neuropsychiatry, an Associate Professor in Psychiatry, Neurology, and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Faculty for the Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship at the University of Colorado, Aurora. He is Director of Neuropsychiatric Services for the Rocky Mountain MIRECC at the Denver VA, Denver, CO.
authors.forename: Megan L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Petrik
authors.forename: Melodi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Billera
authors.forename: Yuliya
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kaplan
authors.forename: Bridget
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Matarazzo
authors.forename: Hal
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wortzel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003219:Confidentiality / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence