101785: Psychologists Use of E-mail with Clients: Some Ethical Considerations

About the Course:

Each type of electronic communication has potential strengths and limitations and the risks of each need to be managed. This course provides a brief overview of the development of guidelines and standards for the use of technology in clinical practice, and, assists in identifying specific issues that pertain to using email correspondence with patients. Although the course language focuses on psychologists, the issues and principles addressed are applicable to many behavioral health clinicians.

Publication Date:

August 2005

Authors

Kenneth Drude, Ph.D.; Michael Lichstein, Ph.D.

Recommended For:

This course is recommended for health care professionals, especially psychologists, counselors, social workers, and nurses who seek knowledge about the ethical issues when using technology (specifically email) with clients. Although the language in the course materials addresses psychologists, the issues and principles can be applied to the practices of many behavioral health clinicians. It is appropriate for all levels of participants’ knowledge.

Course Objectives:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of how technology can be used in a clinical setting.

2. Identify a number of common areas of concern that need to be considered when deciding whether to correspond with clients by e-mail.