Ethical issues in European psychiatry

Abstract

SummaryEuropean psychiatrists and psychiatric service planners are confronting new ethical dilemmas as a direct or indirect result of European integration. These dilemmas present themselves at a variety of levels, ranging from the individual doctor-patient relationship to national and international legislations. We review some of the areas in which ethical questions may arise as a result of increasing European unity. Some of the issues may seem minor but are likely to have some impact on any psychiatrist exposed to transcultural practice in the European Union. Other examples have been selected not because they are common but because of their massive ethical ramifications. Attempts, by psychiatrists, to address these issues pro-actively are few and far apart.