0
Psychiatric News   |    
Volume 36 Number 1 page 21-21
Letter to the Editor
Bierenbaum Implications
Abraham L. Halpern, M.D.
text A A A
Psychiatrists will applaud the landmark ruling by the New York State Supreme Court trial judge in the case of People v. Robert Bierenbaum (Psychiatric News, October 20, 2000). The decision declared that giving a Tarasoff warning does not permanently abrogate the physician-patient privilege. Thus, for example, as in this case, a treating psychiatrist would not be permitted to testify for the prosecution merely because a warning had been given to an intended victim.
The ruling also held that patient-authorized conversations with family members, where the conversations are necessary to further the objectives for which the patient sought professional assistance, likewise do not vitiate the physician-patient privilege.
I understand that the trial judge in reaching his decision relied heavily on the amicus curiae brief submitted jointly by the New York State Psychiatric Association and the American Psychoanalytic Association. The brief was written by Seth Stein, J.D., NYSPA’s executive director. Patients and their psychotherapists alike owe Mr. Stein a great debt of gratitude.

Interactive Graphics

Video

NOTE:
Citing articles are presented as examples only. In non-demo SCM6 implementation, integration with CrossRef’s “Cited By” API will populate this tab (http://www.crossref.org/citedby.html).
Submit a Comments
Please read the other comments before you post yours. Contributors must reveal any conflict of interest.
Comments are moderated and will appear on the site at the discertion of JBJS editorial staff.

* = Required Field
(if multiple authors, separate names by comma)
Example: John Doe



Similar Articles
PSYCHIATRIC NEWS
Articles