Ethical Issues in Psychiatric Follow-Up Studies
SCOTT H. NELSON M.D., M.P.H.1, and
HENRY GRUNEBAUM M.D.2
1 Special Assistant for Mental Health, Office of the Administrator, Health Services and Mental Health Administration, Rockville, Md.
2 Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, and Senior Psychiatrist, Massachusetts Mental Health Center, 74 Fenwood Rd., Boston, Mass. 02115
Conducting a follow-up study of 23 wrist slashers presented an ethical conflict between consideration of the patients' human and medical rights and the investigators' desire for knowledge to improve treatment. The authors feel that many difficulties now encountered in behavioral research can be avoided by improved confidentiality of hospital records, acquisition of patients' consent regarding possible follow-up contact, and well-planned studies in which ethical problems are more fully anticipated beforehand.
