Psychiatrists' Ethical Dilemmas in Late-Term Abortions: Roles and Implications, Slides of Biotechnology

Download Psychiatrists' Ethical Dilemmas in Late-Term Abortions: Roles and Implications and more Slides Biotechnology in PDF only on Docsity! Ethical Issues Arising From The Involvement Of Psychiatrists In Late Termination Of Pregnancy Docsity.com Background • Psychiatrists have a long history of involvement in advising decision making in termination of pregnancy (TOP) • Prior to liberalization of abortion laws, TOPs were often permitted if the mother’s life was at risk from psychiatric or medical conditions • Once abortion laws were liberalized, the involvement of psychiatrists declined Docsity.com Late TOP • Originally performed for maternal medical indications • Late diagnosis – psychosocial factors • Fetal abnormalities Docsity.com Current roles for the psychiatrist EARLY TOP • Counselling a patient with an unwanted pregnancy • Expertise in the area of mental illness and pregnancy • Supporting a patient after diagnosis of fetal abnormality Docsity.com Current roles for the psychiatrist Late TOP • Similar role – Late TOP more emotionally challenging • Complex medical decision (cf organ transplants) • “Clinical ethicist” • Staff support Docsity.com Double agent problem • Arises from conflicting responsibilities, loyalties and goals • Psychiatrists are frequently responsible to parties other than the patient (hospital, family, community, justice system, insurance companies, social security system) • Conflict of interest Docsity.com Abuse of power • Power arises from coercion powers, from the fact of being a physician and from patient vulnerability • Society gives psychiatrists a role in non-psychiatric decisions based on mental function • Pressure to manipulate diagnosis • Agents of social control: Nazi Germany and former Soviet Union Docsity.com Diminishment of profession • What is psychiatry? • Historical assumption of trust • Fidelity as an important virtue – Essential for someone to become a patient – Cannot be maintained if acting for another party Docsity.com