My mentor, Dr. Douglas Mossman, author of Current Psychiatry’s Malpractice Rx department, passed away on January 4, 2018. Dr. Mossman emphasized to his trainees that above all else, understanding forensic matters simply makes one a better psychiatrist. Legal matters and psychiatry go hand-in-hand. Involuntary hospitalization, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act violations, licensure boards, telepsychiatry, guardianship, and informed consent are just a few areas that psychiatrists interface with routinely.
A new department for a new era
The world is changing very rapidly, and we face new dilemmas in the midst of trying to uphold our duties to patients and the profession. There are emerging domains that psychiatrists will experience for the first time—leaving us with more questions than direction. And that is the impetus for this new department, Psychiatry 2.0.
The ever-evolving Internet opens doors for psychiatrists to access and educate a larger audience. It also provides a tool for psychiatrists to keep a web-based presence, something essential for competitive business practices to stay relevant. We are languishing in a political climate that challenges our sense of duty to the public, which often is in contrast with the ethical principles of our association. Technology also poses problems, whether it’s tracking our patients through the pills they ingest, following them on an app, or relying on data from wearable devices in lieu of a patient’s report. All of this suggests a potential for progress as well as problems.
The goal of Psychiatry 2.0 is to experience new challenges together. As Department Editor, I will cover an array of cutting-edge and controversial topics. Continuing with Dr. Mossman’s teachings—that forensic understanding enhances the clinical practice—this department will routinely combine evidence-based information with legal concepts.
Each article in Psychiatry 2.0 will be divided into 3 parts, focusing on a clinician’s dilemma, a duty, and a discussion. The dilemma will be relatable to the clinician in everyday practice. A practical and evidence-based approach will be taken to expound upon our duty as physicians. And finally, there will be discussion about where the field is going, and how it will likely change. In its quarterly publication, Psychiatry 2.0 will explore a diverse range of topics, including technology, social media, stigma, social justice, and politics.