The Expansion of Psychiatric Participation in Social Control

Dr. Eth's Introduction: Psychiatrists are increasingly being called on to serve as agents of social control and to petform functions that extend beyond direct treatment, such as exercising police power in civil commitment. These functions often genenste considerable criticism from both within and without the mental bealtb professions and raise questions about the appropriate responsibilities of the clinician toward patients and the community. This month's column explores the ethical dimensions of psychiatry's ever-expanding role in social control.