HOME
 


"Duty to Warn" or "Duty to Protect"
Which Obligation Do Virginia Clinicians Have ?
Do Virginia's Laws Match Our Ethics?
Mary Alice Fisher, Ph.D.

  I. Underlying Issues
   

A. Distinguishing "Duty to Warn" From "Duty to Protect"
B. Weighing Personal Values vs. Ethical Obligations vs. Legal Duties

  II. Ethical Obligations
    A. Confidentiality (Ethical Rule and Ethically-Allowed Exceptions)
B. Informed Consent About Confidentiality's Limits
  III. Legal Issues
    A. Confidentiality (Legal Rules; Legally-Allowed and -Imposed Exceptions)
       1. Licensing Board Regulations (Confidentiality vs. Peer Reporting)
2. Health Records Privacy Statute -§32.1-127.1:03
    B. Duty to Protect the Public From:
       1. Dangerous Patients - "Duty to Protect" Statute -- §54.1-2400.1
2. "Dangerous" Health Care Providers -- Reporting Requirements
3. Abusers of Children - Abuse Reporting Statute --§63.2-1509
4. Abusers of Elderly/Disabled Adults - Reporting Statute -- §63.2-1606
      C. Commitment of Patients Dangerous to Self or Others
      1. Criteria (July 2008) -- §16.1-345; §37.2-809
2. Disclosing Records (July 2008) -- §16.1-337; §37.2-804.2
3. Immunity --§16.1-337; §37.2-804.2; §54.1-2400.1
  IV. Practical Considerations & Advance Planning
    A. Difficulty of Predicting Dangerousness to Self or Others
B. Clarifying Virginia's New Civil Commitment Criteria & Procedures
C. Deciding When HIV-Positive Patients Pose Danger to Third Parties
D. Deciding How/When to Report (Abuse; Provider Misconduct; Other)
E. Planning How to Respond to Demands for Records
  Educational Goals:
(a) Describe the difference between "duty to warn" and "duty to protect;"
(b) Explain when the legal "duty to protect" applies to Virginia mental health professionals;
(c) List the legal options available to Virginia therapists in response to this legal duty;
(d) Decide how those options might apply in your own practice.

)( )( )( )( )( )(
Continuing Education (C.E.) Credits - Ethics/Laws:

The Center for Ethical Practice is approved by
APA (American Psychological Association) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists;
by NASW ( National Association of Social Workers ( as Provider # 886-40-7427);
and by VCA (Virginia Counselors Association) [NBCC Approved Provider #2047].
The Center for Ethical Practice maintains full responsibility for all programs and their content.
o-o-o

Return to PREVIOUS EVENTS Page

HOME