198206
Guidelines for Psychiatrists appearing on Radio/Television
RESOURCE DOCUMENT
Approved by the Board of Trustees, March 1982
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"The findings, opinions, and conclusions of this report do not necessarily represent the views of the officers, trustees, or all members of the American Psychiatric Association. Views expressed are those of the authors."-- APA Operations Manual. |
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These guidelines were approved by the Board of Trustees in March 1982. They are additional to the original guidelines approved in 1977 (see #197708)
“The Board voted to approve that it is inappropriate for psychiatrists, while on radio and/or television to provide any advice which could be considered therapy to a member of the studio or listening audience and; that psychiatrists should not attempt to state a diagnosis or, in any conclusive way, to describe the problem that may be troubling the person; the psychiatrist may, however, ask the caller questions to obtain additional information that could help in suggesting referrals.
And further,
The Board approved the guideline that the psychiatrist must make every effort to protect confidentiality and must not use case history information, even in a composite way, which would cause a patient of the doctor to believe he or she is the person being described.”