Chosen Aspects of Psychiatric Confidentiality in the Jurisprudence of the Supreme Court

Psychiatric secrecy, which is based on Article 50 of the Law of August 19, 1994 on Mental Health Protection, is intended to protect the dignity and privacy of patients and their families. However, it does not have an absolute character and can be limited or abrogated in certain situations, examples...

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Main Author: Paweł Górski
Format: Article
Language:Polish
Published: Lodz University Press 2024-11-01
Series:Acta Universitatis Lodziensis Folia Iuridica
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Online Access:https://czasopisma.uni.lodz.pl/Iuridica/article/view/23031
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author Paweł Górski
author_facet Paweł Górski
author_sort Paweł Górski
collection DOAJ
description Psychiatric secrecy, which is based on Article 50 of the Law of August 19, 1994 on Mental Health Protection, is intended to protect the dignity and privacy of patients and their families. However, it does not have an absolute character and can be limited or abrogated in certain situations, examples of which can be found in case law. Accordingly, the purpose of the article was to analyze the Supreme Court’s rulings on mental health issues and the protection of secrecy related to it. The article is an overview, analyzing the case law of the Supreme Court on the issue of psychiatric secrecy. The results of the analysis show that in the jurisprudence of the Supreme Court, the issue of psychiatric secrecy appears in the context of criminal proceedings, especially in cases related to the work of expert witnesses. The Court emphasizes that this secrecy is not absolute and may be subject to restrictions to protect other constitutional goods, but in proportion between the purpose of the restriction and the scope of the information disclosed. The Court’s rulings also emphasize the autonomy of psychiatric experts and the need to trust their professional competence, noting various aspects related to the evaluation of their work. Based on the analysis of the Supreme Court’s jurisprudence, it can be concluded that psychiatric confidentiality does not have an absolute character and can be limited in certain situations, but always with respect for the patient’s personal rights. The case law further indicates the need to balance this secrecy with other values, such as the welfare of the patient or society. It should also be noted that existing differences in the interpretation of the rules on the appointment of psychiatric experts in the criminal process may affect judicial practice in this area.
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spelling doaj-art-89ed59c0c9704417a804ae6f73056ccd2025-02-10T09:14:25ZpolLodz University PressActa Universitatis Lodziensis Folia Iuridica0208-60692450-27822024-11-0110923724710.18778/0208-6069.109.1123324Chosen Aspects of Psychiatric Confidentiality in the Jurisprudence of the Supreme CourtPaweł Górski0https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1660-4253Uczelnia Łazarskiego, Wydział Prawa i AdministracjiPsychiatric secrecy, which is based on Article 50 of the Law of August 19, 1994 on Mental Health Protection, is intended to protect the dignity and privacy of patients and their families. However, it does not have an absolute character and can be limited or abrogated in certain situations, examples of which can be found in case law. Accordingly, the purpose of the article was to analyze the Supreme Court’s rulings on mental health issues and the protection of secrecy related to it. The article is an overview, analyzing the case law of the Supreme Court on the issue of psychiatric secrecy. The results of the analysis show that in the jurisprudence of the Supreme Court, the issue of psychiatric secrecy appears in the context of criminal proceedings, especially in cases related to the work of expert witnesses. The Court emphasizes that this secrecy is not absolute and may be subject to restrictions to protect other constitutional goods, but in proportion between the purpose of the restriction and the scope of the information disclosed. The Court’s rulings also emphasize the autonomy of psychiatric experts and the need to trust their professional competence, noting various aspects related to the evaluation of their work. Based on the analysis of the Supreme Court’s jurisprudence, it can be concluded that psychiatric confidentiality does not have an absolute character and can be limited in certain situations, but always with respect for the patient’s personal rights. The case law further indicates the need to balance this secrecy with other values, such as the welfare of the patient or society. It should also be noted that existing differences in the interpretation of the rules on the appointment of psychiatric experts in the criminal process may affect judicial practice in this area.https://czasopisma.uni.lodz.pl/Iuridica/article/view/23031mental health carepatients’ rightssupreme courtpsychiatric confidentialityprofessional secrecy
spellingShingle Paweł Górski
Chosen Aspects of Psychiatric Confidentiality in the Jurisprudence of the Supreme Court
Acta Universitatis Lodziensis Folia Iuridica
mental health care
patients’ rights
supreme court
psychiatric confidentiality
professional secrecy
title Chosen Aspects of Psychiatric Confidentiality in the Jurisprudence of the Supreme Court
title_full Chosen Aspects of Psychiatric Confidentiality in the Jurisprudence of the Supreme Court
title_fullStr Chosen Aspects of Psychiatric Confidentiality in the Jurisprudence of the Supreme Court
title_full_unstemmed Chosen Aspects of Psychiatric Confidentiality in the Jurisprudence of the Supreme Court
title_short Chosen Aspects of Psychiatric Confidentiality in the Jurisprudence of the Supreme Court
title_sort chosen aspects of psychiatric confidentiality in the jurisprudence of the supreme court
topic mental health care
patients’ rights
supreme court
psychiatric confidentiality
professional secrecy
url https://czasopisma.uni.lodz.pl/Iuridica/article/view/23031
work_keys_str_mv AT pawełgorski chosenaspectsofpsychiatricconfidentialityinthejurisprudenceofthesupremecourt