FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release No. 98-1
Contact:
Melissa Saunders Katz
202-682-6142
POLICY UPDATE FROM THE AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION
Washington, DC -- At the December meeting of the American Psychiatric Association Board of Trustees, the following position statements, guidelines, and action papers were adopted as official APA policy.
IMPORTANCE OF USING SELF-HELP TO AMELIORATE TREATMENT
Joint Public Policy Statement on the Relationship Between Treatment and Self Help #6117**
-- explains the need to understand that while self help treatment can be useful, it need to be distinguished from professional services.
APA RECOMMENDS COMPASSION AND AN OPEN DOOR TO NEW RESEARCH ON MEDICAL
EFFICACY OF MARIJUANA
Policy Guideline of Medical Use of Marijuana #6118**
--Medical use of Marijuana is controversial because of potential diversion, dangerous consequences of use, and the abuse of the drug . . . The FDA provisions for drug approval and compassionate use should be followed. If approved, marijuana should be controlled as a class 2 drug. Compassion for the ill, along with research support for safety and efficacy, should be guiding principles in the assessment and approval process of marijuana's medical efficacy. The door should be kept open for new evidence and regimens which may alleviate suffering.
PHYSICIANS ALSO DESERVE RIGHTS TO PRIVACY
Guidelines Concerning Disclosure and Confidentiality #6119**
-- designed to aid licensing boards and other regulatory agencies charged with protecting the rights of physicians previous psychiatric treatment or consultation.
APA PROVIDES GUIDANCE ON TOUGH CHILD CUSTODY ISSUES
Controversies in Child Custody #6120**
--This position statement provides guidance on several child custody issues including: Gay and Lesbian Parenting, Transracial Adoption, and Joint vs. Sole Custody and Custody Gender Issues.
** full document available on APAFastFAX 1-888-267-5400
PSYCHIATRISTS CAN PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE AND PSYCHOTHERAPY
Position Statement on Codification of Medical Evaluation and Management
Services in Psychotherapy
--Psychotherapy provided by psychiatrist includes continuous medical evaluation and management services. Their medical knowledge enables psychiatrists not only to evaluate the medical aspects of the patient's condition and to prescribe correctly, but also to provide continuous evaluation of the full biopsychosocial presentation of the patient. All are essential in the practice of psychiatry and in psychotherapy provided by psychiatrists. Such knowledge does indeed provide added value to the clinical encounter of the patient with the psychiatrist. However, APA understands that this position statement is contrary to the definition of CPT and HCFA.
APA ALIGNS WITH UN POLICY ON GENOCIDE
Position Statement on Religious Persecution and Genocide #6121**
--When well documented human rights abuses are denied or covered up by governments and other institutions, such denial is a further violation of human rights of the victims and is antithetical to the mental health of victims and their families. APA formally endorsed the United Nations Convention on Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (full UN statement available from APA).
PROTECTION OF PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY IN THE COMPUTER AGE
Position Statement on Confidentiality of Computerized Records
--Computerization of medical records exacerbates the threats to patients' confidentiality. This is a particularly important issue in psychiatric treatment, where sensitive information is frequently involved. If, after discussion between the psychiatrist and the patient, the security of the computerized data is unacceptable to the patient, psychiatrists should have the option of entering information into a non-computerized record.
APA OPPOSES SEPARATION OF PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATION BENEFITS
Position Statement on Psychiatric Pharmaceutical Carveouts
--The American Psychiatric Association (APA) opposes the carving-out of psychiatric medications form any general pharmaceutical benefits program (i.e. managing psychiatric pharmaceutical benefits distinct from general medical pharmaceutical benefits). Such arrangements could be detrimental to patients because some medications traditionally used for general medical purposes are routinely used for psychiatric conditions, and some medications traditionally used for psychiatric purpose are used for general medical conditions. Furthermore, psychiatrists, at times, function as primary care psychics and prescribe non-psychiatric medications for their patients. Any such distinction or dichotomy is arbitrary and could be harmful to patients.
** full document available on APAFastFAX 1-888-267-5400
RESTRICTIVE FORMULARIES AND THERAPEUTIC DRUG SUBSTITUTIONS IMPEDE PROPER
TREATMENT OF PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES
Position Statement on Restrictive Formularies and Therapeutic Drug
Substitutions #6122**
--There has recently been an increase in the use of restrictive formularies and therapeutic substitutions, particularly within managed care and pharmaceutical benefits management programs . . . In response to this trend, and its potentially detrimental impact on psychiatric patients by restricting the choice of medications, the APA, in accordance with the AMA policy, affirms its opposition to therapeutic substitution (dispensing a therapeutic alternate for the drug product prescribed without prior authorization of the treating physician). Furthermore, we affirm that prescribing physicians must have a peer review procedure to override any formulary restrictions when necessary for the benefit of a patient, and such processes should not include inappropriate or excessive administrative burdens.
APA OPPOSES INDEFINITE CONFINEMENT OF
SEXUAL OFFENDERS IN STATE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS
Legal Remand of Sexual Offenders to State Psychiatric Hospitals #6123**
-- established a legislative priority of opposing state laws which result in sexual offenders, regardless of a diagnosable mental illness, being remanded indefinitely to psychiatric facilities.
The American Psychiatric Association is a national medical specialty society, founded in 1844, whose 42,000 physician members specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional illnesses and substance use disorders. APA objectives include the advancement and improvement of care for persons with mental illnesses through nationwide public information, education, and awareness programs and materials.
** full document available on APAFastFAX 1-888-267-5400
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