The patient suddenly abandons the facility, leaving a note that he plans to kill his ex wife today. The patient has left behind his antipsychotic medicine that he must take every two hours. Dr Jones:
A. may not release the information because it’s confidential.
B. may release the information.
C. may release the information only if the patient authorized such release in advance.
D. may release the information after obtaining a court order first.
#1 by quizzard123 on February 9, 2010 - 10:21 am
B, he may (in fact MUST release the information, since he knows that his knowledge could save a life. Saving a life trumps doctor/patient confidentiality.
Now, if he doesn’t call the police, and the patient DOES kill the wife, he probably would not be allowed to release the note.
#2 by RZ on February 9, 2010 - 11:15 am
B. look up the case Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California
*This entry is not intended to constitute legal advice or to create an attorney-client, fiduciary, or other legal relationship.
#3 by Barry C on February 9, 2010 - 11:50 am
Might depend on what kind of doctor, and where, but according to my understanding of the ethics code my psychologist gf in CA must follow, B would be the answer. If a patient is danger to himself or others, information can be released.