Welcome to the Nexus of Ethics, Psychology, Morality, Philosophy and Health Care

Welcome to the nexus of ethics, psychology, morality, technology, health care, and philosophy
Showing posts with label aspirational ethic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label aspirational ethic. Show all posts

Thursday, September 1, 2011

New Resource: APA Handbook of Ethics in Psychology


The American Psychological Association recently published a wonderful two-volume set on ethics.  The Editor-in-Chief is Pennsylvania's Sam Knapp, EdD, ABPP. 

Here is the description from Amazon.com:


Discussions of ethics in psychology often focus primarily on misconduct, punishment, and legal sanctions, and too often ignore aspirations, values, principles, and virtues. The net effect of this unbalanced approach creates an atmosphere in which psychologists have viewed ethics as unpleasant and frightening, instead of inspiring and uplifting. Psychologists naturally must be concerned about laws, codes, and regulations, but these documents do not constitute the beginning and end of the conversation on ethics.

The editors of this 2-volume reference propose that ethics is best viewed as a striving toward the highest ethical ideals, not just as an injunction against rule violation--a perspective they refer to as "positive ethics" or "active ethics"--and they encourage psychologists to elevate their ethical observance above the minimal standards found in law and enforceable ethics codes.

Against this backdrop, handbook contributors investigate the complexities of ethical behavior in clinical, educational, forensic, health, and "tele-" psychology. Several chapters zero in on the teaching of ethics and on ethically minded research relevant to professionals working in experimental psychology.

By comparison with many ethics textbooks, this two-volume handbook covers a wider range of subjects and pursues them in greater detail. For instance, it reflects important recent advances in research and technology that present new opportunities and challenges for practice and scholarship. Also, it takes a serious look into some burgeoning new areas such as life coaching and providing services over the Internet. These are just two examples of developments that present fascinating, novel ethical questions that deserve attention.

Significant perspectives presented in the handbook include:

Ethics is more than the knowledge of the laws, rules, and regulations that govern the profession and discipline of psychology.

Competent psychologists rely on overarching ethical theories, as well as laws and regulations, when they live up to their highest ethical ideals.

Attention to ethical issues is especially important as psychologists move into new and increasingly complex areas of practice.

The Table of Contents can be found here, along with ordering from APA.

If you are not a member of APA, you can purchase this two volume compendium through Amazon.com by clicking here.


Full Disclosure: Drs. Gavazzi and Knapp are on the Ethics Committee, co-authored a chapter, and received $50 each to write it.  Authors do not receive any money based on sales of the handbook.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Can We Talk?

Colleague Assistance Committee

Civic Virtue: Behavior that promotes the good of the community
Pro-Social Behavior: Caring about and acting on behalf of others

Why are these things important for psychologists? Are they important? How can such behavior improve our profession and our professional lives?

The members of PPA’s Colleague Assistance Committee work to promote self-care among the mem­bership. Last fall we found ourselves talking about what our obligations might be, as psychologists, to one another and our profession — and how such pro-social behavior is really an extension of good self-care (and vice versa). As we care for one another, we also support and nur­ture ourselves and our profession. We found ourselves wondering…

  • Do we, as psychologists, have an obligation to support one another, to reach out to one another?
  • As psychologists, have we made a commitment to one another?
  • How can we support our fellow psychologists?
  • How can we promote a culture of professional collegiality and support?
  • How can we demonstrate care for one another in our places of employment?
  • Do we promote transparency, trust and open communication at work and when working with other members of PPA? Or do we engage in split­ting, triangulation, one-upmanship, and gossip?
  • When we need to correct a colleague, do we do so in a manner which is affirming of his or her value as a fellow human being? Do we take the oppor­tunity to teach, or do we belittle and punish?
  • Do we have an obligation to mentor younger psychologists and those new to the profession?*
  • Do we ask for help when we need to?

Are there things that we, as psychologists, don’t talk about with our colleagues? Are there things that you wish that you could talk about? Why don’t we talk about these things?

What do you think?

* Did someone act as a mentor to you? If not, what kind of mentor do you wish you’d had? Whom can you mentor? Please consider serving as a mentor for one of PPA’s early career psychologists. If you are interested, contact Dr. Michelle Herrigel, chair of the ECP committee.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

APA calls for psychologists inclusion in ACOs


Part of a psychologist's aspirational ethic is to urge government agencies to help our patients access appropriate psychological care.  This form of advocacy also advances our profession.  Here is a press release from the American Psychological Association that illustrates an important part of our collective professional responsibility.
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June 9, 2011—This week, APA sent a comment letter (PDF, 265KB) to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding a draft proposal to establish Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) in Medicare. Section 3022 of the Affordable Care Act requires the establishment of the Medicare Shared Saving Program, which is intended to encourage the development of ACOs.
ACOs, one of the reforms included in the Affordable Care Act, will allow hospitals, physicians and other Medicare providers and suppliers of services to establish a network that emphasizes primary and coordinated care. Medicare beneficiaries will enroll in an ACO as an alternative to fee-for-service delivery, where the ACO will coordinate their care in an effort to improve quality and contain cost increases. Medicare beneficiaries may still see providers of their choice but their care will be more carefully coordinated by the ACO.
The letter from APA Chief Executive Officer Norman B. Anderson, PhD, and APA Executive Director for Professional Practice Katherine C. Nordal, PhD, to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, dated June 6, 2011, addresses a specific portion of the proposal regarding health care professionals who may participate in ACOs.
In the letter, Drs. Nordal and Anderson urge inclusion of clinical psychologists as participants in ACOs, therefore ensuring better access of Medicare beneficiaries to mental health, substance use disorder and behavioral health services. The letter is a recent example of APA’s ongoing advocacy to promote psychologists as key players in primary care as it develops.
Among Anderson and Nordal’s comments:

- APA agrees with Sebelius’ decision to expand the list of providers eligible to
  participate in ACOs to include clinical psychologists and other providers not
  specifically named in the statute. 

- Clinical psychologists should be incentivized to provide care as part of the ACO
  primary care team. 

- Including clinical psychologists in ACOs ensures the integration of mental,
  substance use disorder and behavioral health with physical health and a more
  comprehensive integrated care system.

APA is asking HHS to retain and implement this provision in the proposed rule in the final draft. We anticipate that HHS will finalize the rule in the coming months.
APA and the APA Practice Organization will continue to evaluate and provide input on proposed rules of interest to practicing psychologists. 
For more information, contact the Government Relations department by email or at (202) 336-5870.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

We're Blogging for Mental Health

Mental Health Blog Party Badge
"Informed journalists can have a significant impact on public understanding of mental health issues as they shape debate and trends with the words and pictures they convey. They influence their peers and stimulate discussion among the general public, and an informed public can reduce stigma and discrimination."
- Rosalynn Carter

We are participating in the American Psychological Association's program Blogging for Mental Health.  The overarching goal of this program is to help people recognize the importance of good mental health, overcome stigma, and seek out professional mental health services when needed. 

We decided to highlight an advocate of mental health issues and treatment services, who also has made significant efforts to decrease the stigma surrounding mental health.

Former First Lady
Rosalynn Carter

Rosalynn Carter has been a major advocate for mental health awareness and mental health services.  She supported mental health parity and collaborated with many others to help push this legislative initiative for years.  The Mental Health Parity law was enacted in October 2008.

"Blogging for Mental Health" seems to be a natural extension of Mrs. Carter's project to help raise awareness about mental health through journalism.  While blogging is not officially journalism, the blogosphere is a new medium in which to advocate, educate, heighten awareness, and reduce stigma about mental health issues and mental health treatment.  As psychologists, public education is an aspirational ethic.  Aspirational ethics exemplify the highest standards and best practices of our profession (and not a minimum requirement).

Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism provide money for journalists to promote mental health awareness.  The quote listed above summarizes her position on this program.  More specifically, the goals of Mrs. Carter's project include:
  •  Increase accurate reporting on mental health issues and decrease incorrect, stereotypical information
  • Help journalists produce high-quality work that reflects an understanding of mental health issues through exposure to well-established resources in the field
  • Develop a cadre of better-informed print and electronic journalists who will more accurately report information through newspapers, magazines, radio, television, film, and the Internet and influence their peers to do the same.
We thank and salute Mrs. Carter for her program, her advocacy, and her tireless efforts on behalf of those who suffer with mental health issues.  She demonstrates our aspirational ethic of educating the public on psychological issues and treatment.