Informed consent revisited: An updated written question format.

Abstract

This article presents an updated version of M. Handelsman and M. Galvin's (1988) suggested written format for facilitating informed consent to psychotherapy. Significant changes in the psychotherapy profession during the past 15 years, and the revisions regarding informed consent in the American Psychological Association's (2002a) ethics code, form the rationale for this revision. Like the original, this form is a thorough list of questions that clients have a right to discuss with their psychologists. This revised version, which is intended to be illustrative rather than prescriptive, includes new questions addressing insurance/managed care issues, manualized and evidence-based psychotherapy, and psychopharmacology.

Clinical psychology service users' experiences of confidentiality and informed consent: A qualitative analysis

“…We deployed a staged multi‐method qualitative design using a focus group of service users to inform a semi‐structured single interview with service users that was analysed using IPA (Smith, 1996). Focus groups are recognized as a valid method of capturing a range of views (Gibbs, 1997).…”

“…There are several qualitative methodologies that could be used to facilitate this aim. The present study uses interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA: Smith, 1996; Eatough & Smith, 2008) as this approach allows an in‐depth exploration of individual experience and places emphasis on identifying the meaning of that experience. In addition, it has been suggested that it is particularly well suited to explore healthcare issues (Biggerstaff & Thompson, 2008).…”

“…It has been found that American users want information about confidentiality, risks of attempting different types of therapy, and inappropriate therapeutic techniques (Braaten, Otto, & Handelsman, 1993). Pomerantz and Handelsman (2004) recommend a combination of written information and discussion as being the best practice and most likely to achieve 'autonomy and improvement through information' (p. 202). Croarkin, Berg, and Spira (2003) found that the model of training and orientation which a psychotherapist held influenced their practices in relation to informed consent.…”

Cognitive behavioral therapy for suicide prevention (CBT‐SP): Implications for meeting standard of care expectations with suicidal patients

“…Informed consent involves the process by which clinicians discuss with their patients the potential risks and potential benefits associated with treatment. At a minimum, patients should be informed about the name of the treatment being provided, how the clinician learned to administer the treatment, how the treatment compares with other treatments (e.g., the proportion of patients who improve, the proportion of patients who get worse, and the magnitude of effect for the treatment), how the treatment works, and the possible risks associated with the treatment (Pomerantz & Handelsman, ). Although most mental health clinicians engage in the process of informed consent to some degree, clinicians rarely have direct and straightforward discussions with patients regarding the prevalence of suicide and suicidal behaviors among individuals who receive outpatient mental healthcare (Rudd et al, ).…”

Clinical engagement of Canadian First Nations couples

“…Therapists are encouraged to provide professional information to ensure that clients are well informed (e.g. Pomerantz and Handelsman, 2004). Integrating current thinking regarding therapist disclosure with FN imperatives (e.g.…”