Ethical Issues in Computerized Mental Health Data Systems
George H. Wolkon Ph.D.1 and
Martha Lyon Ph.D.2
1 The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, The University of Southern California School of Medicine
2 Psychological Services at the Center for the Study of Psychological Trauma, Los Angeles, The USC School of Medicine
Dr. Eth's Introduction: The potential benefits of technological advances are often tempered by ethical concerns. Although there has been conspicuous progress in direct patient care, as illustrated by the development of sophisticated life support systems, quiet revolutions have occurred in other areas as well. This month's column addresses the ethical issues surrounding computerized mental health records. Computerization of records is a valuable service for clinicians and administrators because it makes patient information readily available, but it may pose an insidious threat to patient confidentiality. Drs. Wolkon and Lyon explore these issues.
