This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Reply to article  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Citing articles on Web of Science (6)  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

II. An Ethical Dilemma for Psychiatry

Philip T. Nicholson, JD; Steven M. Mirin, MD; Alan F. Schatzberg, MD

Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1974;30(3):406-410.

Abstract
Utilization of the military psychiatrist as an agent of social control is seen as a critical factor underlying the dramatic rise in the number of servicemen discharged for character and behavior disorders.

Statistics illustrating the magnitude of this special type of nonmedical, psychiatric discharge are accompanied by an explanation of the organizational dynamics that influence the diagnostic process. The consequences for the patient of this administrative separation are summarized, and the appropriateness of a psychiatrist acting as both "expert witness" and "judge" is questioned.

We present detailed recommendations for military psychiatrists who seek to maintain their professional integrity and to practice effective preventive psychiatry for the military community. The military psychiatrist is identified as the man most able, because of his knowledge and his influential position in the military structure, to implement substantial improvements at the installation level in character and behavior discharge procedures, even in the absence of needed structural reform.

Author Affiliations
Boston; Washington, DC

Footnotes
Accepted for publication Oct 9, 1973.

This paper was written while the authors were with the Social Actions Division (DPXST), Directorate of Personnel Plans and Programs, US Air Force, Pentagon Bldg, Washington, DC. Mr. Nicholson is now at the Hirvard School of Public Health, Boston. Dr. Mirin is with the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School. Dr. Schatzberg is currently with the Social Actions Division, Washington, DC.

Reprint requests to Drug Research-H, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02178 (Dr. Mirin).

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Ineffective Military Personnel: I. A Psychosocial Perspective
Mirin
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1974;30:398-402.
ABSTRACT