Citation

Oppenheimer K, Swanson G. J. Fam. Pract. 1990; 30(2): 179-184.

Affiliation

Department of Family Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, Dowden Health Media)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2405094

Abstract

Family physicians may be confronted with the dilemma of when to breach a patient's confidentiality to warn an intended victim of specific threats of harm. The courts have consistently ruled that persons who have a therapeutic relationship with patients have a duty to protect society from specified and foreseeable danger, yet at the same time to act judiciously in guarding against unnecessarily violating a patient's confidentiality. The dilemma imposed by this dual obligation is illustrated by a case report. Guidelines for assessing dangerousness and determining a course of action are offered so physicians can respond to their patient's threats of violence.

Language: en