The Dangerous PatientMedical, Legal, and Public Policy Responses-A Symposium Introduction and Overview

摘要

Which is the most appropriate term to use: "potentially dangerous infected patient" or "potentially dangerous infected person"? What is the government's role in protecting its people and communities from infectious risk? How have Fourth Amendment rights been shaped by public health administrative actions? Is quarantine an effective measure against the spread of disease and, if so, are our governments prepared to order and implement appropriate quarantines? When dealing with the potential spread of disease, do we erroneously focus on the individual patient rather than focusing on the disease and all of its potentially dangerous sources? Can mental health professionals predict violent or dangerous behavior so as to intervene and, we hope, prevent random acts of violence?