A psychologist, whose primary focus is sleep behaviors, gives an acquaintance advice regarding psychiatric medication. The psych
ologist is considered an expert in his field. Why is this behavior unethical? The psychologist did not charge the correct fee for his advice. The psychologist gave incorrect advice to the acquaintance. The psychologist was not qualified to give psychiatric advice. The psychologist cannot give advice to someone who is not a patient.
The correct answer is C. The psychologist was not qualified to give psychiatric advice.
Explanation:
In general terms, health care professionals are limited to their field of expertise. This means, they should only advise patients, prescript medicine or perform medical procedures only if they are appropriately qualified; otherwise, they are acting unethically. For example, a nutritionist should not prescript medicine to treat chronic heart disease as it is a cardiologist the professional that is qualified for this.
In the case presented the psychologist shows an unethical behavior because he/she is giving psychiatric advice despite his/her focus is psychology and sleep behaviors rather than psychiatric medication. This might have negative effects on the patient because the psychologist might prescript inappropriate medication or provide inadequate advice.
