Presidential address: defending humanistic values
Article Abstract:
The current political changes that are in Eastern Europe show that humanistic values are beginning to prevail after over half a century of oppression. However, in the US, we continue to see our health care system erode, and liberal Democratic politicians who support raising taxes for domestic programs defeated at the poles. Our newspaper headlines are largely about greed, and our society's values seem to have hit an all time low. This is all relevant to the APA because humanistic values are at the heart of the profession, as the goal of psychiatry is to diminish human anguish. Another important objective is to receive more funding for research. The APA is preparing an official statement on apartheid and has already taken official positions on racism and homophobia. These positions identify the profession as one which devotes itself to humanistic causes. The good news of the 1990s for psychiatry is that the public is becoming more educated on mental illness. Citizens' groups concerned with mental illness, such as the National Alliance for Research in Schizophrenia and Depression, are raising money for research. The bad news is that ideological extremists still interfere with scientific research, as demonstrated in the ban on fetal tissue research. Personal decisions have been attacked as well, as seen in the case of a young husband who had to go to court to establish his right to obtain an abortion for his comatose wife to improve her chances of survival. The animal activist movement is also a concern. Animal research has enabled much of the medical progress we have made to date, and is a necessary component of further progress. Many people supporting this movement are not aware that they are actively working against the health or life of fellow citizens, possibly even their own family and friends. Animal activists have used aggressive tactics, threatened scientists and their children, destroyed private property, and released infected animals. Animal research now has stringent standards, and compassion must not be confused with extremism. The APA has fought for a society that views mental illness with compassion and regards the psychiatric profession as legitimate. It has achieved many successes, and must continue to actively engage in continuing this effort. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Psychiatry
Subject: Psychology and mental health
ISSN: 0002-953X
Year: 1990
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Therapeutic jurisprudence in clinical practice
Article Abstract:
Therapeutic jurisprudence is the study of the role of the law in psychotherapy and the use of mental health insights in the development of the law. It is based on the 'direct victim' doctrine, which defines the liability of mental health practitioners to be charged for harm inflicted on third parties during the treatment of a patient. The Ramona case and the Tarasoff case were two of the most important landmarks in the area of therapeutic jurisprudence.
Publication Name: American Journal of Psychiatry
Subject: Psychology and mental health
ISSN: 0002-953X
Year: 1996
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Presidential address: a new APA for a new century
Article Abstract:
The accomplishments and future of the American Psychiatric Association are discussed in a presidential address given at the 152nd annual meeting, May 15-20, 1999, in Washington, DC. Topics include assistance provided to clinicians, strategic planning, quality performance indicators, managed care, international membership, creation of the American Psychiatric Institute on Research and Education, organization finance, and the social mission of medicine.
Publication Name: American Journal of Psychiatry
Subject: Psychology and mental health
ISSN: 0002-953X
Year: 1999
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