rss
J Med Ethics 2005;31:452-456 doi:10.1136/jme.2003.006999
  • Global medical ethics

Ethical dilemmas in community mental health care

  1. A Liégeois1,
  2. C Van Audenhove2
  1. 1Faculty of Theology, Catholic University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
  2. 2Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, Kapucijnenvoer 35, B-3000 Leuven; chantal.vanaudenhovemed.kuleuven.ac.be
  1. Correspondence to:
 Professor A Liégeois
 Faculty of Theology, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, Sint-Michielsstraat 6, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium; axel.liegeoistheo.kuleuven.ac.be
  • Received 30 October 2003
  • Accepted 9 November 2004
  • Revised 20 September 2004

Abstract

Ethical dilemmas in community mental health care is the focus of this article. The dilemmas are derived from a discussion of the results of a qualitative research project that took place in five countries of the European Union. The different stakeholders are confronted with the following dilemmas: community care versus hospital care (clients); a life with care versus a life without care (informal carers); stimulation of the client toward greater responsibility versus protection against such responsibility (professionals); budgetary control versus financial incentives (policy makers), and respect for the client versus particular private needs (neighbourhood residents). These dilemmas are interpreted against the background of a value based ethical model. This model offers an integral approach to the dilemmas and can be used to determine policy. The dilemmas are discussed here as the result of conflicting values—namely autonomy and privacy, support and safety, justice and participation, and trust and solidarity.

Footnotes

    This Article

    1. Abstract
    2. Full text
    3. PDF

    Responses

    1. Submit a response
    2. No responses published

    Register for free content

    The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.

    Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.