Courtney Markham-Abedi is a psychiatrist.

The nuanced issues behind guardianship

Physician
July 2, 2021

“Control leads to compliance; autonomy leads to engagement.”
– Daniel H. Pink

There has been much public discussion relating to guardianship and its tenants.  It is tempting to draw conclusions around topics related to current events, while knowing very little about the processes behind the scenes. Guardianship is a very complicated topic; the ethical concepts of paternalism and autonomy are at odds, and in addition, clinical and legal realms are involved to …

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The nuanced issues behind guardianship

Weighing the ethics of paternalism and autonomy

Conditions
November 17, 2020

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” is a quote by George Santayana.

It rings true in so many facets of life and medicine. In my career in psychiatry, I have held fast to this treatise.

Psychiatry, as a practice, has changed over the years. We operate with the knowledge that we must always remember our past, especially since our past has been quite …

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Weighing the ethics of paternalism and autonomy

It’s time to change the way we approach the mental health care of physicians

Physician
October 18, 2020

I recently published an essay on physician suicide: “Doctors are killing themselves, and who is taking notice?”  My intent was to bring awareness to this issue and honor a fallen colleague.  I want to continue the discussion.

I realized that year after year, I fill out the medical licensure recertification without much thought. I live in Kentucky and have since I was initially licensure and the recertification …

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It’s time to change the way we approach the mental health care of physicians

Doctors are killing themselves, and who is taking notice? 

Conditions
October 7, 2020

I am a psychiatrist. My field has been marred with human rights violations and treatments that though well-meaning, did not yield the results that were intended. I have always been at the watch and helm of speaking out when I see gaps and places where my colleagues and I are called to do better. I have been treating patients for over 15 years now. I have remained silent …

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Doctors are killing themselves, and who is taking notice? 

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