Posted by Emily Elizabeth on March 3, 2006, at 0:30:41
In reply to Re: Ethics, posted by 5 on March 2, 2006, at 23:35:18
I'm not sure that I agree that Bob is not subject to ethical guidelines. Although I am more familiar with the ethical guidelines for psychologists, I suspect the psychiatrists have similar ones. Ethics are not about enforcable laws (although there is overlap). Ethics are about how one conducts himself or herself professionally. There are many things that one can do that are unethical that are not illegal. And there are many things that are legal that are not ethical.
Psychiatry is a profession that you can't just "check at the door." You are a psych 24 hrs a day, like it or not. The ethics also follow you 24 hrs a day. For example, some professions, like mental health professionals, are mandated reporters of child abuse. Even if you are in a social setting, if you hear something that indicates child abuse you are ethically (and I think legally) bound to report it.
Like most folks on this site, I don't always agree with Bob's decisions. However, I do think that there are limits to his "power" (not sure what word would be best) and that there is some level of accountability even on the internet.
Best,
EE
poster:Emily Elizabeth
thread:615090
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20060225/msgs/615303.html