(1997). International Journal of Psycho-Analysis, 78:435-438 There seems to be little doubt that one must exercise extreme caution in writing case histories for presentation or publication in order to protect a patient's confidentiality. However, beyond that point, there is much in doubt, especially just how that is to be accomplished. Somewhere between the poles of presenting the clear and undisguised case report and that of composing completely fictionalised accounts, there are a number of possible alternatives, all of which carry some potentially undesirable features. There is a need both to safeguard the privileged communications of patients and to allow psychoanalytic science to progress by way of a free exchange of information. It is all too easy to take a firm stand at one or another of these extreme positions and so to dismiss the consequences of what may turn out to be a simple but possibly deleterious position. In the present-day climate of justifiable concern about confidentiality (Bollas & Sundelson, 1995) there is a heigh [This is a summary or excerpt from the full text of the book or article. The full text of the document is available to subscribers.] |
