The growing demand by consumers and government for greater
accountability from psychiatry is challenging the traditional system of
self-policing by which the profession's standards of ethical conduct are
established and maintained. The authors describe the operations of a
district branch ethics committee, including types of complaints recieved,
investigatory procedures, disposition of cases, and factors limiting the
committee's effectiveness. They conclude that in some cases lack of funds,
lack of time, and the use of peers to judge alleged misconduct make
unbiased and thorough evaluation of complaints difficult. They suggest that
psychiatry must take steps to improve public confidence in its ability to
police itself so that the power to regulate professional conduct will
remain within the profession.
Abstract Teaser