A Forensic Psychiatry Clinic in Evolution

Abstract

In 1969, a teaching program in forensic psychiatry was launched at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. Initially oriented toward the training of psychiatric residents, the Forensic Psychiatry Clinic now offers academic credit to selected law students and draws upon an interdisciplinary faculty.

In light of special problems which may arise in forensic evaluations, the paper focuses upon client privacy, confidentiality and privileged communications. Also described are the difficulties of formulating a teaching program responsive simultaneously to the needs of medical students, psychiatric residents and law students.