A Proposed Exception to the AIDS Confidentiality Laws for Psychiatric Patients
Botello, TE
Asst.prof. of clin. psych., asst.prof. of clin. psych., & asst.prof. of psych., respectively, Univ. of S. California, Dep't. of Psych.,LA,CA; also, med.dir., chief psychologist, & dir., respectively, USC Inst. of Psych., Law, & Behavioral Sci., LA,CA.

Weinberger, LE
Asst.prof. of clin. psych., asst.prof. of clin. psych., & asst.prof. of psych., respectively, Univ. of S. California, Dep't. of Psych.,LA,CA; also, med.dir., chief psychologist, & dir., respectively, USC Inst. of Psych., Law, & Behavioral Sci., LA,CA.

Gross, BH
Asst.prof. of clin. psych., asst.prof. of clin. psych., & asst.prof. of psych., respectively, Univ. of S. California, Dep't. of Psych.,LA,CA; also, med.dir., chief psychologist, & dir., respectively, USC Inst. of Psych., Law, & Behavioral Sci., LA,CA.


Abstract
The authors offer psychotherapists a proposed exception to strict acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related confidentiality laws. The proposal is based on previously established exceptions to the psychotherapist-patient privilege. The recommended breach of confidentiality applies only to cases that meet all of the following criteria: (1) A patient knows that he or she has a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive blood test and has been informed of AIDS-related safety precautions, (2) the RIV-positive patient has a mental disorder, and (3) it is reasonable to believe that the mental disorder has significantly impaired or may significantly impair the patient's ability and behavior to follow AIDS-related safety precautions.

Keywords:
acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), acquired immunodeficience syndrome (AIDS), doctor-patient priviledge, doctor-patient privilege, forensic science, psychiatry

Paper ID: JFS353900653

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Author Botello TE, Weinberger LE, Gross BH Title A Proposed Exception to the AIDS Confidentiality Laws for Psychiatric Patients Symposium , Committee on