MILITARY PSYCHIATRY SYMPOSIUM TOPIC: Medical Ethics in Military Psychiatry Abstract

Ethics in medical practice has always been a matter of debate, more so, when it comes to psychiatry. Military Psychiatric services have been one of the most organized psychiatric services in India since long and known for its clarity with respect to ethical practices. India ratified The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) on 01 Oct 2007 and new Mental Health Care Act 2017, has replicated many aspects of it. Military psychiatric services, have also incorporated many right based aspects from it, in its practices, but formal policies from higher echelons are yet to come. Ethical practice is a dynamic process, which keeps on evolving with changes in the worldwide views. In light of UNCRPD, MHCA 2017 and RPWD act 2016, there are various areas in Military Psychiatric services which need re-evaluation and there is a need to formulate new policies. In Military psychiatry sometimes there is a dilemma between organizational interest and respecting various legally binding Human Right instruments. Formulation of clear new guidelines in this respect would certainly help in streamlining military psychiatric practice. This symposium aims to understand ethical practices in military psychiatry, more in light of current right based approach in psychiatric services. The Symposium will be covered in three parts. Speaker 1 Lt Col (Dr) RM Sharma, Graded Specialist in Psychiatry, Military Hospital Jhansi Ethics and Human rights in psychiatric practice Speaker 2 Lt Col (Dr) SA Khan, Classified Specialist in Psychiatry, Command Hospital Lucknow Ethical/Human Right issues in Military Psychiatry Speaker 3 Col T Madhsudan, Senior Advisor Psychaitry, Military Hospital Secunderabad Summing up and Conclusion