Professional versus personal ethics: methods for system reform?
R. D. Miller,
Bull. Amer. Acad. Psychiatry & the Law
20(2): 163-77, 1992.
It has been suggested that changes in, and more vigorous enforcement of, professional ethical codes
might lead to significant improvements in the quality of expert testimony by mental health
professionals. The author examines the arguments for and against this thesis, and concludes that lack
of consensus on controversial issues is likely to impede implementation and enforcement of
meaningful ethical codes. He argues that attempts to educate the courts and legislatures through
writings, testimony, and interdisciplinary teaching are more likely to be effective for the foreseeable
future.