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Suicide and the Standard of Care: Optimal vs. Acceptable
Author(s) -
Berman Alan L.,
CohenSandier Roni
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
suicide and life‐threatening behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.544
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1943-278X
pISSN - 0363-0234
DOI - 10.1111/j.1943-278x.1982.tb00918.x
Subject(s) - standard of care , malpractice , liability , ideal (ethics) , professional standards , quality (philosophy) , actuarial science , best practice , psychology , business , law , medicine , political science , engineering ethics , engineering , surgery , philosophy , epistemology
: The accepted standard of care in the treatment of suicidal patients is discussed from the perspectives of the law, malpractice insurance claims, the mental health professions, and the ideal. A review of decisions of professional liability in suits for wrongful death provides guidelines for what the court considers to be adequate care. Out of court settlements further connote accepted standards of reasonable care. Although attention to potential malpractice issues is necessary and appropriate, what appear to result are an acceptance of minimal standards and the practice of defensive care. It is argued that by demanding more optimal standards the consequent quality of care not only serves the patient best but provides the best legal protection as well.