Robert Alonso
28 minutes ago, at 5:26 PM
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1. The risk of using digital psychiatry on patients’ autonomy is primarily related to concerns about privacy, security, and informed consent. The use of digital tools, such as telepsychiatry, can potentially undermine patients’ autonomy by limiting their control over their personal information and treatment decisions (Grahamet al., 2019). Additionally, there is a risk that digital psychiatry may lead to overdiagnosis and overtreatment, which could further erode patients’ autonomy.
2. The passive collection of data can impact a user’s ability to participate in the decision-making process in several ways. Firstly, it can limit the user’s control over their personal information, which can affect their ability to make informed decisions about their treatment. Secondly, passive data collection can also lead to biased or inaccurate diagnoses, which can further undermine the user’s autonomy.
3. The inherent risk of using AI for making diagnoses is that it may lead to errors or biases, which can have significant consequences for patients’ health and well-being. Additionally, the use of AI in diagnosis may also violate patient rights, such as the right to informed consent, by limiting patients’ control over their treatment decisions.
4. The rational argument for conducting online psychotherapy is that it can increase access to mental health services, particularly for individuals who live in remote or underserved areas. However, several ethical concerns may arise when offering this modality to patients, such as privacy and security risks, the potential for bias and inaccurate diagnoses, and issues related to informed consent and autonomy (Stoll et al., 2020).
Yolanda Morgado
1/26/23, 10:54 AM
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CASE STUDY 2:
ETHICS STANDARDS CASE STUDY
DISCUSSION TOPIC
Digital psychiatry is referred as the use of digital technologies, based on artificial intelligence (AI), available in the market which can detect if the user is affected by a mental health condition or are at risk. Any one can get access to such technology in the app stores and install it in his/her cellphone, tablet, laptop, etc. These app’s collect data that goes to institutions outside of the formal health care system and it that way constitute an ethic challenge since can disclosure private information, inflate epidemiological data, and affect patient autonomy.
Autonomy is the freedom of an individual to take its own decisions. This concept goes beyond the individual to a more broadly field that involves moral, political philosophy and bioethics (Stoll et al., 2020).
The data use of digital psychiatry outside the formal health system by digital well-being industry generates public health risks such as, unlicensed therapists offering support for conditions such as schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, among others that can aggravate the patient’s condition imposing a new challenge to the health system.
These automated systems collect data by monitoring and surveilling, this is called passive data collecting form, in such a way that the user is unaware of the elements taking into consideration in order to assess and present a diagnosis, by this mean, the user in not able to get all the information he/her needs to take an informed decision, how to present themselves to others, also, the perception of potential risk of privacy disclosure can affects the user trust and undermine possible desirable actions. In the same tone, the way the data is used may impede the user to challenge the decisions by being attracted by other elements that are out of the system’s purpose (Stoll et al., 2020).
AI collect and arrange data in such a way that may facilitates diagnosis, prognosis and treatment in the clinic setting, but it is needed the concourse of the practitioner to filter that information and put it in context, so combining human and artificial intelligence can mitigate possible potential mistakes, assess data biases, and complement with observation factors missed in the AI’s data (Graham et al., 2019).
Other important subject is the use of the communication technologies to provide psychological treatments. There is no doubt that telemedicine has made attention accessible to people that does not have the means to get to a clinic or doctor’s office, but there are concerns regarding legal and ethical issues, as well as the risk and benefits of making informed decisions this way. Because of the different means distant communication can be performed, verbal or in writing, via cellphones, tablets, computers, laptops, text messaging, emails, internet, etc. or face time technology, new challenges arise to provide such a service. There are plenty of ethical arguments to support the use of communication technology for psychotherapy, as are arguments that are against it practice. Among these, confidentiality, data breaches and privacy are the issues that most concern causes in practicing on-line psychotherapy. Another issue is that the practitioner requires a new level of education, technologic training and developing of a new set of communication skills to be effective in the treatment. Also, the patient must know the way the system work. Practice in this way can provide attention to patients across states or even countries that may arise license, insurance, and other right of practice issues. Selection of patient, therapist and patient identification process, informed consent, and emergency situations requires legal considerations and new guidelines. There is also fear that the use of this technology could endanger the patient, lead to stigmatization, dehumanization, dependence, or loss of adherence to treatment since is easy to end a session, and loss of patient autonomy. To implement the technology both the therapist and the patient faces important associated costs (Burr et al., 2019).
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Mildred Laseca
PMHN Across the Lifespan Individual/Family Therapy: Psychopathology/DSM V
Question 1
The provision of patients with access to mental health services in the convenience of their own homes through digital psychiatry, as well as the opportunity to participate in treatment on their own terms, has the potential to result in an increase in the patients’ level of autonomy. On the other hand, there are worries over the likelihood that patients’ autonomy may be compromised by the use of digital psychiatry. Some people, for instance, are concerned that the use of digital tools to collect data on patients’ symptoms or behavior could be used to monitor or control them, rather than simply to assist them in gaining access to better care. This is in contrast to the primary goal of the use of such tools, which is to assist patients in gaining access to better care (Cui et al., 2017).
Concerns have also been raised over the possibility that algorithms and other AI-based tools would make judgments on the treatment of patients without adequately taking into account the specific requirements or preferences of each patient. As a result, it is essential to give some thought to the ethical implications of digital psychiatry and to make certain that the autonomy of patients is respected and safeguarded (Cui et al., 2017).
Question 2
When seen from the point of view of digital psychiatry, the collecting of information in a passive manner is connected to information asymmetry. This results in a sort of informational asymmetry known as non-transparent asymmetry. This renders the patient oblivious to any behavioral signs, which are regarded an input towards the evaluation of the diagnosis. The presence of informational asymmetry, which is generated by passive types of data surveillance and monitoring, lowers the availability of data that people may utilize to guide them through the process of decision-making.
Question 3
The IA operates effectively when it comes to the completion of tasks like categorization. On the other hand, it could be more effective in terms of therapeutic dialogue and interpersonal exchange. It violates the patient’s right to have a say in the medical care decisions that are made for them since it is affecting their treatment.
Both the patients and the participatory psychiatry process that goes into making sense of things are manipulated in this scenario (Sanderson et al., 2017). These methods need to be portrayed more accurately within the realm of digital psychiatry.
Question 4
There are several benefits associated with engaging in psychotherapy online. People living in rural or otherwise impoverished areas, as well as those who struggle with mobility, may benefit from receiving mental health treatment via online therapy. Individuals who are unable or unwilling to seek treatment in person may find that engaging in psychotherapy sessions through the internet is more convenient. There are certain ethical considerations about online counseling (Sanderson et al., 2017). Patients’ private information may be put at risk when they get therapy online. It is possible that this might be reduced by having strong security and complying with all relevant regulations. Last but not least, it’s possible that in-person counseling will be more effective, humanized, and compassionate than online therapy. Therefore, therapy over the internet should complement counseling provided in-person and protect patients’ rights.
Yordanis Santana Soayero
1/25/23, 6:38 PM
NEW
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The medical profession is a broad aspect and one that is associated with among other issues, the risk of utilizing digital psychiatry when it comes to the autonomy of the patients. Among the notable risks is that when such a situation arises, the patients tend to be at a point of lacking the capacity of making decisions by themselves. Whenever they lack the autonomy of making decisions by themselves, then they are left at a point of depending on the clinicians to attend to them and make decisions on their behalf as well as attend to them in their best interests within the ethics and law.
The other aspect to mention about is that of passive data collection which has a great impact on the ability of the users to participate in the process of making decisions. The essential impact is that the decision-makers do not depend on the self-reporting of the people about their behavior that might be subject to imperfection. Instead, passive decision-making will be based on the knowledge of the decision-makers.
The other talking point is that of the risk of utilizing AI in making a diagnosis. The risk includes making choices about the lives of the patients or the perfection of the work of the medical care providers, (Burr, 2020). As a result, and in the process, certain rights may be violated as it will be seen below. Among the essential risks include the lack of privacy of the people as well as the issue of beneficence in that not all the involved parties will benefit.
Additionally, there exists a rationale for arguing for the conducting of online psychotherapy. The essential rationale is that it might be useful for making decisions whenever emergencies arise and for the intervention when a crisis arises. The possible ethical issues that might arise against the offering of modality to the patients include the absence of the privacy and confidence as the two most possible potential risks. As seen in the above statements, psychiatry, and especially digital psychiatry involve various aspects.
References
Burr, C., Morley, J., Taddeo, M., & Florida, L. (2020). Digital psychiatry: Risks and opportunities for public health and wellbeing.
IEEE Transactions on Technology and Society,
1(1), 21-33.
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Obdelis Dominguez
1/25/23, 6:36 PM
NEW
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Question 1
Digital psychiatry has the potential to increase patients’ autonomy by providing them with access to mental health services from the comfort of their own homes, and allowing them to engage with treatment on their own terms. However, there are also concerns about the potential for digital psychiatry to infringe on patients’ autonomy. For example, some have raised concerns that the use of digital tools to collect data on patients’ symptoms or behavior could be used to monitor or control them, rather than simply to help them access better care (Burr et al.,2020). Additionally, there are concerns about the potential for algorithms and other AI-based tools to make decisions about patients’ care without fully taking into account their individual needs or preferences. Therefore, it is important to consider the ethical implications of digital psychiatry and to ensure that patients’ autonomy is respected and protected.
Question 2
Tracking apps and other digital technologies may passively gather data, which might affect a user’s decision-making capacity. Passive data collecting may obscure data collection and utilization. This makes it hard for people to know and influence data-driven choices. Passive data gathering also gives users little control over their data, which may be used to make judgments without their permission. Passively gathered data may be used to forecast a user’s health, behavior, or other elements of their life without their agreement (Graham et al., 2019). To address these issues, data collection should be transparent, users should be informed about what data is collected and how it is used, and users should be able to modify or remove their data.
Question 3
The use of AI for making diagnoses in psychiatry and mental health can have some inherent risks. One risk is that AI systems may not be able to fully capture the complexity and nuances of mental health conditions, leading to inaccurate or incomplete diagnoses. Additionally, there is a risk that AI systems may perpetuate biases and stereotypes that are present in the data they are trained on, leading to unfair or discriminatory diagnoses.
One of the patient rights that may be violated in using AI for making diagnosis is the right to privacy. Mental health data is sensitive, and a patient should have control over who has access to their information and how it is used. The use of AI systems for diagnosis may lead to the collection and use of sensitive data without the patient’s knowledge or consent.
Question 4
Online psychotherapy has several advantages. Online counseling may improve mental health care for persons in rural or disadvantaged locations or with mobility challenges. Online psychotherapy may be easier for individuals with hectic schedules or who are afraid to seek treatment in person (Stoll et al., 2020).
Online psychotherapy has ethical concerns. Online treatment may endanger patients’ sensitive information. Strong security and compliance with applicable laws may reduce this.
Finally, internet therapy may be less humanized, compassionate, and successful than
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Idalmis Lopez
1/25/23, 6:32 PM
NEW
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What is the risk of using digital psychiatry on patients’ autonomy?
The risk associated with digital psychiatry on the patient’s autonomy is that it undermines the user’s trust due to the privacy issues that interfere with evaluating the possible and desired actions. Digital psychiatry increases potential risks due to the differences between human and digital psychiatrists (Burr et al., 2020). In this case, information asymmetry, a common aspect of digital psychiatry, undermines autonomy. It limits the available information that can be used by the patients in the decision-making process on how to present themselves.
Does the passive gathering of information affect the user’s ability to take part in the decision-making process?
The passive collection of information from the perspective of digital psychiatry is linked to information asymmetry. It leads to the non-transparent form of informational asymmetry. This makes the patient unaware of any behavioral signals, considered an input towards the diagnosis assessment (Burr et al., 2020). The existence of the informational asymmetry caused by the passive forms of data surveillance and monitoring reduces the availability of data to guide individuals in the decision-making process.
What is the inherent risk of using AI for decision-making, and what patient’s rights can it violate?
The IA works well in the performance of tasks such as classification. However, it could work better in terms of therapeutic and interpersonal conversation. It interferes with the patient’s rights to take part in the decision-making process involving the treatment process (Burr et al., 2020). In this case, the patients and the participatory psychiatry process in sense-making are tampered with. Such procedures need to be better reflected within digital psychiatry.
What are the reasons for conducting online psychotherapy and possible issue that might be against the provision of the modality to clients?
The main intention of implementing online psychotherapy is to ensure that many clients have access to mental healthcare services. However, the success of such programs is interfered with due to the risk associated with their use (Stoll et al., 2020). In this case, their use is discouraged since they increase the risk of interference with confidentiality, privacy, and security issues. Other issues surrounding online psychotherapy include the research gaps in its benefits compared to risks, communication problems, and emergency issues.
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