Ethics and Psychiatry: East Versus West

Abstract

In this chapter the authors argue that psychiatric patients as a group have special vulnerabilities that dictate an approach to their treatment that must pay special attention to ethical considerations. We emphasize that the ethics of psychiatric treatment in Asia must take into account the social, economic and political distinctive of the East and not be imported wholesale from the West, while also recognizing that in an increasing interconnected world the gulf between East and West is not always as wide as is often assumed. Issues relating to paternalism and autonomy, therapeutic boundary, informed consent and stigma are discussed. Special areas such as the relationship of doctors with pharmaceutical companies and the issue of physician assisted suicide and euthanasia are highlighted. Finally we address some ethical-legal aspects of litigation in the Asian context with examples from specific cases.