Goldstein R L
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY.
J Forensic Sci. 1989 Sep;34(5):1246-9.
In New York, psychiatrists (and all physicians) have a duty, in every circumstance with respect to such functions as they are required to undertake, to conduct themselves and all their examinations in a thorough and proper manner. Especially in a forensic setting, psychiatrists must bear in mind that they have a legal duty to perform a competent examination before they render an opinion. It is well established that malpractice liability does not require the preexistence of a doctor-patient relationship based on an undertaking for the purpose of treatment. The author discusses a long line of cases in New York State which holds that psychiatric examiners are potentially liable in malpractice for any breach of duty with respect to those functions that are undertaken. Failure to conduct a proper, careful, and competent examination may result in liability in a variety of areas: competency examinations, commitment proceedings, workers' compensation claims, and so on. Limitations on such malpractice liability are discussed. Unlike some jurisdictions, New York does not accord judicial immunity to psychiatric examiners.
在纽约，精神病医生（以及所有医生）在履行其被要求承担的职责时，无论在何种情况下，都有义务以全面、恰当的方式行事并进行所有检查。特别是在法医环境中，精神病医生必须牢记，在发表意见之前，他们有进行胜任检查的法律义务。众所周知，医疗事故责任并不要求基于治疗目的的承诺而事先存在医患关系。作者讨论了纽约州的一系列案例，这些案例认为，精神病检查人员对于所承担的那些职责中的任何失职行为，都可能面临医疗事故责任。未能进行适当、仔细和胜任的检查可能会在多个领域导致责任：能力评估、收容程序、工伤赔偿索赔等等。本文还讨论了此类医疗事故责任的限制。与一些司法管辖区不同，纽约并不给予精神病检查人员司法豁免权。
