Ethical issues in family planning for hospitalized psychiatric patients
Abstract
The authors present guidelines based on their experience with a family planning program for patients in mental hospitals. They believe that informed consent for these patients should include an adequate knowledge base, the patients' competence to make decisions, and the absence of coercion. Among safeguards are the reversibility of contraceptive procedures, the separation of the family planning counselor from the treatment staff to avoid possible covert coercion, and careful choice of the stage of hospitalization at which counseling occurs. The authors examine the implications of a patient's refusal to use contraception, noting the impossibility of involuntary contraception and the ethical and legal problems regarding sterilization procedures.
Access content
To read the fulltext, please use one of the options below to sign in or purchase access.- Personal login
- Institutional Login
- Sign in via OpenAthens
- Register for access
-
Please login/register if you wish to pair your device and check access availability.
Not a subscriber?
PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5 library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.
Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).
