Articles for tag: assessment, diagnosis, ethics, law, medication, psychiatry, regulation, risk, standards, treatment

Section 62(1): the hard boundary between law and ethics

In a previous post I unpacked some of the key issues in Section 62(1). Appropriate study of this article will necessitate digestion of Fathoming Section 62 of the MHA 1983 – Investigative Psychiatry (April 2024). Understanding of this article depends on having a foundational understanding of Statute Law, what it means and the power of …

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Decision-making in forensic psychiatry

Decision-making in forensic psychiatry is a multifaceted process that goes beyond mere discussion of facts. It involves a deliberate, analytical approach to weighing various factors and arriving at plans, outcomes or conclusions that are congruent with widely accepted standards of practice. Accurate documentation of this process is essential for professional, legal, and ethical reasons, and …

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Punishment in Psychiatry

Nobody in their right mind would consider ‘punishment’ as a means of treating patients in psychiatry of today – or so you might think. Punishment was a part of treatment in the history of behavioural modification. To be 100% clear no contributor at this website thinks that punishment should be brought back into psychiatry or …

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Forensic psychiatry and other areas of medical practice

Comparing forensic psychiatry with other areas of medical practice may seem a strange thing to do. This article is stimulated by reflection upon the author’s appraisals by the following appraisers: breast surgeon, haematologist, psychiatrists, anaesthetist. The appraisals have all been of good quality. The author of this post has been trained as appraiser as well. …

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What is forensic psychiatry?

Forensic psychiatry in the UK is a specialised branch of psychiatry that interfaces with the legal system. It focuses on the assessment and treatment of individuals with mental health disorders who have come into contact with the criminal justice system. Forensic psychiatrists work in various settings, including secure hospitals, prisons, and community services. Their scope …

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Sitting in the lap of Big Pharma

Following a recent BBC documentary on antidepressants(2023), I was set on a path of deeper inquiry about psychotropic medications and the relationship of Big Pharma to psychiatrists as a group. Then my colleague S.D. got me reading: The Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty. I was driven to do some digging …

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