Reflection on the RANZCP position on the adverse effects of psychotherapy.

Stephen Allison Jeffrey C L LooiSteve KiselyTarun Joseph Bastiampillai

Published in: Australasian psychiatry : bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (2024)

Psychotherapy has two critical outcomes - efficacy and adverse effects. Evidence-based psychotherapy is significantly more effective than care-as-usual for about one in 10 psychotherapy patients. However, a similar proportion also reports adverse effects. Despite this, the RANZCP position statement on psychotherapy focuses on efficacy with minimal discussion of the adverse effects. This is an oversight because psychiatrists have legal and ethical obligations to consider the adverse effects as well as the benefits of any treatment. We therefore reflect on the RANZCP's six recommendations in light of the adverse effects of psychotherapy.

Keyphrases

posttraumatic stress disorder
borderline personality disorder
end stage renal disease
healthcare
chronic kidney disease
palliative care
ejection fraction
prognostic factors
type diabetes
adverse drug
peritoneal dialysis
quality improvement
pain management
combination therapy
smoking cessation
replacement therapy