Article Figures & Data
Tables
- Table 1
Relevant ACGME Guidelines and Milestones in Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry: Advocacy, Legislation, and Regulation
1. ACGME program requirements for graduate medical education in psychiatry, 20174 IV.A.5.f).(4) Advocate for quality patient care and optimal patient care systems IV.A.5.f).(10) Advocate for the promotion of mental health and the prevention of mental disorders 2. ACGME and ABPN: the psychiatry milestone project, 20155 MK6 4.2/C Describes professional advocacy* MK6 5.2/C Proposes advocacy activities, policy development or scholarly contributions related to professional standards SBP2 5.2A Advocates for improved access to and additional resources within systems of care PROF2 5.3/B Participates in the professional community (e.g., professional societies, patient advocacy groups, and community service organizations) 3. ACGME program requirements for graduate medical education in forensic psychiatry, 201613 IV.A.2.b).(1).(h) Legal regulation of psychiatric practice IV.A.2.b).(2) Must demonstrate competence in their knowledge of the legal system related to forensic psychiatry, including … (f) fundamentals of laws, statutes, and administrative regulations 4. ACGME and ABPN: The forensic psychiatry milestone project, 20156 PROF2 4.2B Participates in the primary specialty and forensic psychiatric professional community (e.g., patient advocacy groups, community service organizations) SBP2 5.1 Advocates for improved access to, better allocation of, and, as appropriate, additional resources within forensic and community systems of care MK1 1.1/A,B,C Demonstrates basic knowledge of the legal regulation of psychiatric practice MK1 2.2/A Demonstrates knowledge of basic concepts and sources of law and the court structure MK1 3.2A Demonstrates knowledge of jurisdiction, constitutional principles, and relevant state and federal laws MK1 5.1/A Demonstrates sufficient knowledge to provide assistance in the drafting of legal briefs, statutes or regulations PBLI1 5.3/B Independently teaches appraisal of clinical evidence and legal developments ↵* “Advocacy includes efforts to promote the wellbeing and interests of patients and their families, the mental health care system, and the profession of psychiatry. While advocacy can include work on behalf of specific individuals, it is usually focused on broader system issues, such as access to mental health care services or public awareness of mental health issues. The focus on larger societal problems typically involves work with policy makers (state and federal) and peer or professional organizations (American Psychiatr[ic] Association (APA), National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), etc” (Ref. 5 at 20-1).
Goals To learn more about psychiatry and the law, including legislative advocacy related to mental health law Objectives To understand the U.S. legal structure and sources of law To become familiar with theories of statutory interpretation and the role of courts in interpreting statutes To understand the legislative process To understand how medical and legal research may be used to support, refute, or analyze legislative proposals To develop research skills using both medical and legal sources To define legislative advocacy To become familiar with organizations and agencies involved in mental health legislation To complete a written project focused on legislative advocacy in mental health law Review current legislation and explain the anticipated effect on the practice of psychiatry or patients Review current legislation and recommend and explain revisions Draft proposed legislation or an amendment to existing law and explain why it should be enacted Analyze viewpoints of stakeholders involved in current legislation and develop a plan to support or oppose the viewpoints Submit op-ed articles to local newspapers addressing active legislation or recently enacted legislation Write a persuasive paper for lawmakers to educate them on the ramifications of a bill
