Current ethical issues in clinical psychiatry

In medicine ethics are based on the Hippocratic oath, as expressed in the Declaration of Geneva (2006). Two moral principles in this medical oath are crucial: the autonomy of the patient and beneficence. In clinical practice, medical doctors struggle, on daily basis, with dilemmas around these themes. What to do, if there are realistic medical treatments but the patient opposes or cannot express his will? This holds especially true in cases of suicidality.

In cases of cancer, few will doubt that the doctor should abide by the patient’s wishes, but in psychiatry the doctor will struggle with if the psychiatric condition hinders the patient’s ability to express their free will. How do we balance autonomy with best interests in light of the UN Convention of the Rights of People with Disability (CRPD), and what role for those with lived experience? In the light of recent legislative evolution in several European countries, how do we balance the wishes of the individual with societal values when considering physician assisted dying? Whilst each countries culture and legislation is unique, those themes remain universal. They will be expanded and discussed in small groups around specific cases.

Course Directors: R.J. Van der Gaag, Netherlands, Jan Wise, UK and Cécile Hanon, France