1. Phillips discusses in, “Clinical Social Workers as Diagnosticians: Legal and Ethical Issues” the changes made to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association which have impacted clinicians. Initially, the DSM was based on the psycho-social model, however, it was later changed to focus on the medical model. The result of this change caused clinicians to have to diagnose individuals and include a diagnosis in most cases. Insurance companies pushed for a diagnosis as a means reimburse for treatment and therefore pay for the services.
As the DSM was being changed, social workers were impacted tremendously by the changes. The role of social workers expanded. Some social worker’s licenses throughout the nation allow them to diagnose individuals. Even though, it conflicts with the values of social work and theories in social work, the DSM is still used by social workers. By having to use the DSM and providing a diagnosis, the focus was shifted to finding criteria for a mental disorder for each individual. Consequently, this brings up …show more content…
After reading this article, it makes me want to learn more about DSM and diagnosing clients. The article will impact my practice by sparking an interest in learning more about what legal and ethical issues may be presented as a social worker. It fascinates me to know that social workers and other clinical professionals who accept insurance must provide a diagnosis, yet not everyone who does it is competent. I hope to be able to learn more about diagnosing individuals and become competent. Considering the possible legal and ethical implications, I will be diagnosing clients only if that is within my scope of practice. I will have an ethical obligation to only diagnose a client if I am competent. In case, I have questions or doubts, I would consult it with another clinician. I must aim to follow the NASW Standards of Practice and Code of Ethnic to uphold my duty to help
As the DSM was being changed, social workers were impacted tremendously by the changes. The role of social workers expanded. Some social worker’s licenses throughout the nation allow them to diagnose individuals. Even though, it conflicts with the values of social work and theories in social work, the DSM is still used by social workers. By having to use the DSM and providing a diagnosis, the focus was shifted to finding criteria for a mental disorder for each individual. Consequently, this brings up …show more content…
After reading this article, it makes me want to learn more about DSM and diagnosing clients. The article will impact my practice by sparking an interest in learning more about what legal and ethical issues may be presented as a social worker. It fascinates me to know that social workers and other clinical professionals who accept insurance must provide a diagnosis, yet not everyone who does it is competent. I hope to be able to learn more about diagnosing individuals and become competent. Considering the possible legal and ethical implications, I will be diagnosing clients only if that is within my scope of practice. I will have an ethical obligation to only diagnose a client if I am competent. In case, I have questions or doubts, I would consult it with another clinician. I must aim to follow the NASW Standards of Practice and Code of Ethnic to uphold my duty to help