Complementary and alternative medicine in child and adolescent psychiatry: legal considerations.

The rising popularity of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in child and adolescent psychiatry raises unique ethical and legal concerns for psychiatrists and other conventional health care providers. This article explores these concerns and provides clinical advice for promoting patient health and safety while minimizing the psychiatrist's risk. Although any departure from the conventional standard of care is a potential risk, the risk of malpractice liability for practicing integrative medicine in child and adolescent psychiatry is low. CAM is most safely recommended from a legal standpoint when there is some published evidence of safety and efficacy.

[Statement by the Commission on Youth Welfare Services of the Child and Adolescent Professional Societies on Integration Assistance according to Section Paragraph 35a SGB VIII]. / Stellungnahme zur Eingliederungshilfe nach S35a SGB VIII der Kommission Jugendhilfe der kinder- und jugendpsychiatrischen Fachgesellschaften.

Paragraph 35a SGB VIII of the German Social Code (assistance for minors with mental illness) in practise creates difficulties for child and adolescent psychiatrists. Uncertainty prevails with regard to the role of the child and adolescent psychiatrist in the course of the proceedings, as well as about his/her duties and rights, and how to structure collaboration with the youth services and the parents. The Commission for the Youth Welfare Services of the German societies of child and adolescent psychiatry has generated guidelines for the proceedings according to paragraph 35a SGB VIII in order to resolve recurrent questions. The statement by the commission indicates solutions to these questions. A form was prepared to help child and adolescent psychiatrists to fulfil the necessary requirements for the proceedings.