Social networking and professional ethics: Client searches, informed consent, and disclosure.

Abstract

As mental health professionals are increasingly using technology in their clinical work, it is important that research examines the ethical implications of online behaviors. This study examined the online hehaviors of 315 counseling and psychology graduate students. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to examine online client searches, informed consent, and disclosures. Increased disclosure of client information was related to lower scores on ethical decision-making and to program type (counseling, clinical, or school). Ethical decision-making moderated online disclosure for participants in school psychology programs. Of those with supervised clinical experience, a third had used the Internet to find information about a client. Progress in the participants' academic program, as measured by academic credits, and years of social networking experience were positively related to increased online client searches. The majority who conducted an online search did not obtain client informed consent before conducting the search. Reported therapeutic concern about client welfare and gathering information for intervention were significant predictors of obtaining informed consent.

Using the Internet for collateral information in forensic mental health evaluations

“…These are no longer particularly novel concepts, as this literature has developed over the past decade and states are increasingly introducing legislation to facilitate the provision of telehealth services (see, e.g., New Jersey's Bill S291/652/1954, which was recently signed into law by Governor Christie). A more contemporary issue, however, is mental health professionals' use of the Internet to gather information about their clients (see, e.g., Asay & Lal, 2014;Clinton, Silverman, & Brendel, 2010;DiLillo & Gale, 2011;Harris & Robinson Kurpius, 2014;Kaslow, Patterson, & Gottlieb, 2011;Kolmes & Taube, 2014;Lannin & Scott, 2013;Pham, 2014;Powell & Clarke, 2006).…”

Defining professionalism for mental health services: a rapid systematic review

“…Professionalism is context dependent (Brendel et al, 2007;Harris & Kurpius, 2014;Ikkos & Mace, 2009;Malhi, 2008;Wise, 2008). Moreover, it is a dynamic construct, which shifts across time and professions (Bhugra, 2008a;Bhugra, 2010;Bhugra & Gupta, 2010;Malhi, 2008.…”

“…Moreover, it is a dynamic construct, which shifts across time and professions (Bhugra, 2008a;Bhugra, 2010;Bhugra & Gupta, 2010;Malhi, 2008. Variations in regulatory policy are influenced by subtle variations in individuals' beliefs and understanding (Malhi, 2008), which with case studies of professional failure, lead to ethical codes being amended and updated (Gottlieb et al, 2009;Harris & Kurpius, 2014). Mental health services are continually in reform (Bhugra & Gupta, 2011;Malhi, 2008) and clinicians have suggested that the mental health professions…”

“…Clinicians must have and (Bhugra, 2008a;Bhugra, 2009;Ikkos & Mace, 2009;Randall & Kindiak, 2008;Robertson & Walter, 2007;Schwartz et al, 2009;Talbott & Mallott, 2006), being to their work (Bhugra, 2008a;Ikkos & Mace, 2009;Randall & Kindiak, 2008;Robertson & Walter, 2007). They must have the and to undertake their role (Bhugra, 2008a;Bhugra, 2009;Bhugra & Gupta, 2010;Bhugra & Gupta, 2011;Brendel et al, 2007;Ikkos & Mace, 2009;Randall & Kindiak, 2008;Robertson & Walter, 2007;Wise, 2008); behaving (Harris & Kurpius, 2014) and Bhugra, 2010;Orlinsky et al, 2005).…”

Ethical Considerations Regarding Internet Searches for Patient Information

“…Among graduate students in counseling and psychology, trainees who performed targeted online searches for client information indicated that curiosity was the most common reason for the search (Harris and Kurpius 2014), and other studies have found curiosity-motivated searches among psychiatrists and other mental health professionals (Deen, Withers, and Hellerstein 2013;Ginory, Sabatier, and Eth 2012). When an Internet search on a patient is unnecessary, such a search may lead to unforeseen boundary problems that may adversely affect the psychiatrist-patient relationship (Gabbard, Kassaw, and Perez-Garcia 2011; Ginori, Sabatier, and Eth 2012).…”