ETHICS, LEGAL AND BASIC TERMS Flashcards
What does “ideas of reference” mean?
The feeling that casual incidents and external events have a particular and unusual meaning that is specific to the person.
Describe “affect”?
A pattern of observable behaviours that is the expression of a subjectively experienced feeling state (emotion).
What is “seperation insecurity”?
Fears of being alone due to rejection by and/or separation from significant others, based on a lack of confidence in one’s ability to care for oneself, both physically and emotionally.
Describe “mood”?
A pervasive and sustained emotion that colours the perception of the world.
What is AHPRA’s main functions? (4)
- Supports national boards to protect the public
- Manage registration processes
- Manages investigations on behalf of Boards
- supports Boards with development of registration standards, codes and guidelines
What does the Psychology Board of Australia do? (5)
- Registers Psychs
- Assessing psychs trained overseas
- Develops psychology standards, codes and guidelines
- Handles complaints, notifications, investigations, disciplinary hearings
- Approves accreditation standards and courses of study
Registration standards managed by the Psychology Board of Australia?
- Continuing Professional Development
- Recency of Practice
- Indemnity Insurance
For a subpoena to be valid, it must be…
A valid subpoena must be dated, with the name and address of the court displayed or bearing the signature of a court officer.
A registered psychologist has just received a valid subpoena. The APS recommends the following process when the psychologist has concerns about providing the court with the information:
The APS recommends writing to the court outlining any concerns regarding the negative consequences for the client of disclosure of material.
A psychologist has received a letter from a solicitor requesting sensitive information about one of her clients. She should:
Write back to the solicitor expressing concerns about confidentiality and requesting an indication as to the purpose of the request and who will be accessing the information.
Outline the APS 5 step model for ethical decision making
- Recognise there is an issue present
- Clarify the ethical issues (identify principles).
- Generate and examine courses of action
- Choose and implement preferred action
- Reflect on and review process
Can a parent ask to see a 15 year olds file under the Privacy Act without their consent?
With regard to an adolescent under the age of 18, The Privacy Act 1988 does not set an age at which a child is considered to be capable of making decisions about how their personal information is handled. However, the law recognises that competence varies in young people. In some cases, including in relation to the eHealth record system, a young person may be considered capable of making decisions for themselves from the age of 14.
When psychologists are considering breaching confidentiality, they need to consider (4):
- The circumstances when a breach can occur
- The assessment or determination of risk or harm
- The reliability of the information
- Whom to inform or disclose to
Defensible disclosures typically fall into these categories (5):
- The client has consented
- In the public interest
- Criminal activity
- Supervision, training and research
- Suicidal clients (see APS Ethical Guidelines, pp 149-155)
Susan and John came to see their psychologist for some couples therapy to address marital problems. On the second session, John came to therapy alone as Susan was ill.
During this session, John confessed that he had engaged in an extra marital affair and was now HIV positive. He refused to inform Susan and stated that he continued to have unprotected sex with her.
According to Ethical Guidelines, the psychologist should:
Tell John that as a psychologist you are bound to protect Susan from known harm. Then you need to phone Susan and inform her that John is HIV positive.
