Abstract

BARBERO GUTIERREZ, Javier; SANCHEZ CABALLERO, Marina  and  MARTIN CORTECERO, Jesús Mª. Professional secrecy and vital risk for an identified third party: ethical analysis methodology based on a case. Rev. Asoc. Esp. Neuropsiq. [online]. 2013, vol.33, n.119, pp.555-573. ISSN 2340-2733.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S0211-57352013000300007.

Ethical values permanently appear in clinical practice. When they conflict with each other, we need ethical analysis methodologies that enable us to minimize the risk of error. A case is presented where the patient affirms that he can react killing his brother if he's provoked by him. The psychologist has to decide whether to respect the professional secret or to report the aggression risk to a third party, either to the potential victim, to other family members, or to the authorities. Confidentiality value (autonomy principle) conflicts with the health and life of a third party value (nonmaleficence principle). The analysis of consequences is also considered. The case is analyzed from a deontological, juridical and bioethical perspective using, in this last case, a largely contrasted rational methodology.

Keywords : Confidentiality; Duty to Warn; Ethical analysis; Methodology; Bioethics.

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