12.07.2015 Views

Seattle University Collaborative Projects - International Academy of ...

Seattle University Collaborative Projects - International Academy of ...

Seattle University Collaborative Projects - International Academy of ...

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Medical Pr<strong>of</strong>ession. I argue that understanding these expectations is crucial both as a normativestandard for conduct, and in considering appropriate responses to unpr<strong>of</strong>essional conduct.Ethics <strong>of</strong> Psychiatric Expert Opinion in the Area <strong>of</strong> UncertaintySamuel Wolfman, Law School <strong>of</strong> Zefat Academic College (s.wolfman@wolfman-law.com)Many psychiatrists submit expert opinions testimonies in courts, regarding causality between thestress involved in a tort case and a psychiatric disease developed after stressful events. Theyeither support the plaintiff claiming cause relationship, or the defense undermining thesignificance <strong>of</strong> such stress, or claiming that different signs <strong>of</strong> the disease had been observed inthe plaintiff long before the alleged stressful event. Another area where psychiatrists submitexpert opinion is in labor law cases regarding the question <strong>of</strong> causality between stress at workand psychiatric disease developed ― allegedly ― after work or military stressful conditions. Inlight <strong>of</strong> statutory arrangement compensating such disabled, a negative psychiatric opinion mayresult in depriving such sever disabled from any financial support. This paper shall discuss theethics <strong>of</strong> psychiatrists testifying in the above cases with absolute certainty ― not only in clearcut cases but also in ambiguity and vagueness. As such testimonies may determine the financialfate <strong>of</strong> such disabled mentally ill for the rest <strong>of</strong> his/her life and as the real etiology <strong>of</strong> manypsychiatric diseases is still not fully understood, there are definite ethical questions as to suchabsolute certainty and the place for some humbleness <strong>of</strong> such experts.The Ethics <strong>of</strong> Research Involving Victims <strong>of</strong> CrimeRita Shackel, Sydney Law School – The <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Sydney (rita.shackel@sydney.edu.au)A myriad <strong>of</strong> ethical issues arise in the conduct <strong>of</strong> research that involves victims <strong>of</strong> crime,especially vulnerable victims e.g. children and victims with a disability. The risk <strong>of</strong>retraumatisation <strong>of</strong> such victims is an ethical concern widely recognised by researchers workingin the field. This paper identifies and discusses the main ethical issues that arise in the conduct <strong>of</strong>research with victims <strong>of</strong> crime, focusing particularly on especially vulnerable victims and theethical issues that specifically arise with regards to: (i) the expectations that victims have <strong>of</strong>researchers and the ethical responsibilities that such expectations give rise to; (ii) theexpectations <strong>of</strong> participants and duties <strong>of</strong> researchers that flow from utililising particular researchmethodologies; and (iii) the potential ethical issues and conflicts <strong>of</strong> interest that might arise whenthe line between research participation and therapeutic benefits becomes blurred. This analysisdraws on relevant published literature and includes an analysis <strong>of</strong> data obtained from victimservices websites and relevant government and other institutional protocols relating to theconduct <strong>of</strong> research involving victims <strong>of</strong> crime.150

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!