Place 5 tree forensic you associate that quelles are animals and psychologists are the same, or at least interchangeable. Some 't consider psychiatrists, though they are physicians, to be the same credibility category as a trusted family doctor. A good and ethical forensic clinician, either psychologist or psychiatrist, should not work or give opinions outside his or her areas of expertise and experience, should be forthcoming about his or her limitations, and should refer the attorney or court elsewhere as necessary for the case. Physicians take a particular oath and train a bit longer than clinical psychologists, but most clinical psychologists concentrate on the mind for as years as psychiatrists Both professions have strong ethical and professional obligations which are enforced by their professional organizations and licensing agencies. When knowledge of psychotherapy is required, particularly some specialized kinds of therapy, experienced clinical psychologist is often the best choice. If the psychiatrist is experienced psychotherapy, that's fine as well. A be either a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist. cases, however, psychiatrists do not do as much psychotherapy, or as kinds, as a clinical psychologist. Qualified psychiatrists are almost always preferred with there are issues of medication or other biological treatments laboratory or physical tests and procedures damage and when the issue involves inpatient care. Qualified psychiatrists are often preferred matters of severe psychiatric disorders those associated with general medical illness or those that must be differentiated from general medical illness including their diagnosis, treatment planning, treatment, and prognosis. Forensic matters involving criminal responsibility and competency, since they routinely involve characteristics of severe mental illness and dysfunction, generally require a qualified psychiatrist, but benefit from both. Medical malpractice allegations regarding psychiatric patients, particularly those who have committed suicide, complain of adverse reactions to treatment, or have been hospitalized, usually require a qualified psychiatrist, but benefit from both. Placebos and Sham Patients: It's Not Nice to Fool Patients, or Doctors A couple of news services indicate that placebos and sham patients are back the news. We all know that a placebo is a treatment that has no biological merit but used to be popular for treating psychosomatic or imaginary ills Sham patients are actors who impersonate patients but are not really sick. They are common doctor-testing settings and medical schools but now they are being used secretly by some hospitals and clinics to evaluate physicians' care and the health care experience that real patients encounter. First the sham patients. If they were really being used to assess patients' treatment and increase consumer patient satisfaction I'd have little criticism. But one of their main purposes is apparently effort by HMOs and other healthcare payers to catch doctors and other clinicians who be offering unnecessary tests and services. Sure, I'd like to stop the few doctors who are ripping off insurance companies and government agencies order to line their own pockets, and there are lots of watchdogs who monitor for that; but what about the physician who is simply trying to practice careful medicine, to reassure anxious patient, or to go the extra mile providing the kind of care we all want I 't want that doc punished, nor do I want him or her to have to think about whether or not he'll be criticized for trying to do the right thing. I 't want the new expectation for our health care system to be some low-ball, adequate level of service. And I 't want some fake patient coming to a crowded emergency room or office and making you or me wait while he plays gotcha with our doctor. Incredibly, the American Medical Association Council on Ethics is apparently trying to get AMA members to endorse this fake-patient practice. That doesn't make sense to me Readers of this website are welcome to contact the AMA and voice their opinions. Mine would be that good care and patient satisfaction are more important than intimidating the doctors who are trying to help us feel better. on to placebos. I have generally held the view that placebos are a form of lying to patients. psychiatry and forensic psychiatry, particularly, we want our patients and evaluees to be open and honest about their symptoms, backgrounds, and feelings. It has thus never made sense to me that we should return the favor by tricking them with fake medicines. Do placebos work? You bet, situations. But once one weighs the pros and cons of being essentially dishonest with the patient, the benefit often fails to outweigh the drawbacks. A recent article described a placebo product now being marketed the U.S. by Efficacy Brands designed for parents to give to their children for minor ills, and reduce the unnecessary use of antibiotics and other medicines. What a terrible idea! First, parents shouldn't lie to their children. Second, whatever happened to parents who take the time to sit and talk with their kids, offering parental reassurance and empathy Third, well, list of criticisms could go on and on. Last, but not least, the product is called Obecalp how do you think a curious, trusting kid is going to respond when he or she inevitably figures out what Obecalp spells, and what that do to his or her relationship with