PSY611 Final Term Highlighted Handouts Set 2

Ethical Issues in Psychology (PSY611)

Table of Content

Lesson No. Title Page No.

Access to Records & Personal Information III

Confidential Information

Marketing Professional Services

Mental Health Professionals & Media

The Mental Health Business

Group Practice

Referrals

Mental Health Professionals in Legal System

Mental Health Professionals in Academia

Ethical Challenges in Work Settings

Ethical Issues in Education & Criminal System

Ethical Issues in Business & Medical Settings

Independent Practice

Ethics Regarding Scholarly Publications

Research Misconduct

Cultural & Demographic Issues in Research

Lesson 23 · Guidelines for Record Keeping · Financial Records:

The psychologist strives to ensure accuracy of financial records. Accurate and complete financial record keeping helps to ensure accuracy in billing nature of the payment obligation and exactly which services have been billed and paid. Up-to-date record keeping can alert the psychologist and the client to accumulating balances that, left unaddressed, may adversely affect the professional relationship.

Disposition of Records:

The psychologist plans for transfer of records to ensure continuity of treatment and appropriate access to records when the psychologist is no longer in direct control, and in planning for record disposal. Client records are accorded special treatment in times of transition (e.g., separation from work, relocation, death).

The psychologist endeavors to employ methods that preserve confidentiality and prevent recovery. In some circumstances, in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements, the psychologist may consider a method for notifying clients about changes in the custody of their records.

Access to Records & Personal Information

Mental health practitioners keep records of their work and clients for a variety of reasons like: legal obligation reluctance to rely on memory, communication to other professionals ready availability of important data documentation of services provided Such records will often contain confidential material, and as long as they exist, someone other than the therapist who collected the material may seek access to them. In addressing this issue psychologist should, Consider process of securing a client’s informed consent for the release of information. Consider the claims and circumstances under which various parties might seek access, as well as the nature of the information sought. Consider the use of client records for teaching or research purposes, including the use of recordings and photographic materials.

Consent for the Release of Records Transferable records can be of great assistance or substantial detriment to clients, depending on their contents and uses. Under HIPAA regulations each consent or release form must at minimum contain following details; A description of the information to be used/disclosed in a specific and meaningful form. The name or specific identification of the person(s) or class of persons authorized to disclose the information. A description of the purpose or requested use of information. The name or specific identification of the person(s) or class of persons authorized to receive the information. An expiration date or event related to the purpose of the disclosure. Signature of the person making the authorization and date of signing

Clients’ access to their mental health records has historically been a matter of some controversy. Although the issues have varied somewhat as a function of the precise type of the records are generally involved. Therapists should generally assume that any patient may someday ask to see his or her records. And also that all who persist will ultimately be able to obtain copies, whether the therapist agrees this is a good idea or not. In consideration of HIPAA, practitioners will want to recognize four special categories of records: (a) Medical records (b) Psychotherapy notes (c) Forensic reports (d) Working notes Medical records: