To the Editors:

In the December issue of the Newsletter, in the article on confidentiality, it is advised that “… sometime during the intake procedure the clinical applicant be informed casually and verbally that the clinical material, with all due precautions to protect privacy, will be used in a training context. The fact that such information was given should be included in the applicant's record.”

In my relatively uninformed opinion, “casually and verbally” in no way conforms to the principles of “informed consent” and, if challenged, would likely not hold up. In view of both the complexities and the importance of what constitutes “informed consent”, I would suggest that a legal opinion on this issue be sought and published in the Newsletter, so that, if I am correct, the poor advice given to the membership can be corrected.

Ruth I. Barnard

Beverly Hills, California