The Role of Psychosomatic-Medicine Psychiatrists in Bioethics: A Survey Study of Members of The Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine

The Bioethics Subcommittee of The Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine developed a survey to assess the involvement of psychosomatic-medicine psychiatrists in bioethics and the extent of their participation on bioethics committees and in the teaching of bioethics. Of 599 Academy members surveyed, 122 (20.4%) responded. The majority of respondents reported that the management of bioethical dilemmas had a significant impact on their work in psychosomatic medicine. Many respondents were involved in teaching bioethics and in serving on ethics committees. The majority of respondents reported psychiatry-resident involvement on ethics committees. Bioethics work is an integral part of the fabric of psychosomatic medicine.