Abstract

MARQUEVICH, Mariano. Present perspectives of professional responsibility in the psychological assistance area (contributions on medical history and informed consent according to norms of new legislation). Subj. procesos cogn. [online]. 2012, vol.16, n.2, pp.44-69. ISSN 1852-7310.

Since the declaration of human rights social and legislative changes have progressively taken place to protect the agreement of people rights. The Argentine states have been obliged to respond and secure those values. The mental health arena has not been the exception. Given the complexity of its field, it requires careful revision to interconnect the correct assistance procedures. Trials of professional responsibility have multiplied in the last decade in Argentina and have modified substantially the way in which the assistance activity takes place in the country. Consequently, clinicians as professionals have by and large hired assurance services in case of trial. The assurance companies have implemented ongoing training courses to improve the legal medical conditions the assistance covers. Clinicians learn about patient rights, the best way to put down the data is emphasized; the bio-ethical committees have gained importance. Also, prevision in case of trial is part of the agenda as well as acquisition of juridical terms that allow confronting complex situations. In contrast, psychologist professionals hold an attitude which qualifies as "denial" as concerns the actual situation of the judicial system. This hypothesis is supported by the meager bibliography authored by psychologists related to the subject. This is not in line with our due responsibility as specialists in mental problems, since academia imposes specific nontransferable knowledge which provides a basis for the professional´s economic support (and implies inherent contract concerning rights and obligations, as does any contract). From this perspective, it is the purpose of this brief presentation to deal with two central and critical subjects that refer to the everyday practice of assistance in psychopathology. These are: Medical history and informed consent.

Keywords : Professional responsibility; Medical history; Informed consent; Psychological psychiatric praxis.

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