Bruce E. Bennett

Ethics for psychologists : a commentary on the APA ethics code

In writing this book, we have, of course, been communicating our best understanding of what the 1992 Ethics Code was designed to communicate and the spirit in which it was written. It is our hope that it will serve the science and profession of psychology, as well as the public, by providing additional educational material to assist in ethical decision making and to facilitate a high level of ethical behavior by psychologists.

Considerations for ethical practice in managed care.

How does one maintain an ethical practice while facing the requirements and limits of a health care system that is dominated by managed care? Psychologists are increasingly raising such questions about ethical issues when working in or contracting with managed care organizations. The authors review the process involved in ethical decision making and problem solving and focus on 4 areas in which ethical dilemmas most commonly arise in a managed care context: informed consent, confidentiality, abandonment, and utilization management-utilization review. The need for sustained and organized advocacy efforts to ensure patient access to quality health care is discussed, as is the impact of managed cares competitive marketplace on professional relationships. Hypothetical examples of typical dilemmas psychologists face in the current practice environment are provided to illustrate systematic ethical decision making.