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Biomedical subjects

J Dvoskin

Publications and source records attributed to J Dvoskin.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

The debate on treating individuals incompetent for execution.

The question of whether to provide mental health treatment to prisoners under death sentence who have been judged incompetent for execution presents a powerful ethical dilemma for mental health professionals. Arguments that favor or oppose the provision of treatment are discussed in the context of the nature of the disorder to be treated, the type of treatment to be provided, the goals of treatment, and the relevant legal standard for determining competency for execution. Arguments against treating the incompetent include 1) the need to avoid harming those who are treated, 2) the risk that disclosures in therapy will be used for assessment purposes, 3) the need for paternalism when sufficient harm is necessary, 4) the adverse impact on the clinician, 5) the potential undermining of patient and public perceptions of mental health professionals, and 6) the poor allocation of limited resources. Arguments for treating the incompetent include 1) respect for the wishes of the prisoner, 2) the need to clarify the values underlying the refusal to treat, 3) the low risk of harm from some forms of treatment, and 4) the adverse impact on the milieu stemming from failure to treat. The authors conclude that treating incompetent prisoners may not violate ethical standards under some circumstances, and that some forms of treatment will require the informed consent of the prisoner.

Antipsychotic Agents↗
PubMed1991

Estimating mental health needs and service utilization among prison inmates.

A sample of 3,684 inmates in the New York State prison system was surveyed in May 1986 to determine the prevalence of psychiatric and functional disability and service utilization. It was estimated that 5 percent had a severe psychiatric disability, and 10 percent had significant psychiatric disability. The higher the level of disability, the greater the proportion of inmates that had received mental health services in the last 30 days and in the last year. Still, 45 percent of the severe disability group had no service contacts in the last year. Patterns of utilization differed significantly by sex (a greater proportion of women received services) and by race (a greater proportion of whites received services). The clinical factors associated with receipt of services varied considerably between men and women.

Data Collection↗
PubMed1987

A survey of mental disability among state prison inmates.

To obtain a comprehensive picture of the levels of mental disability in the general state prison population in New York State, the authors gathered data on a random sample of inmates using a survey instrument adapted from the state's level-of-care surveys of the psychiatric population. The sample consisted of 3,332 inmates in the general prison population (9.4 percent) and 352 inmates in prison mental health units. The survey results showed that 8 percent of the state's prison inmates have severe psychiatric or functional disabilities that clearly warrant some type of mental health intervention, and another 16 percent have significant mental disabilities that require periodic services. The specific nature and extent of these disabilities need to be assessed before appropriate services can be developed.

Humans↗