Ethical issues in the publication of clinical material

Some of the ethical issues involved in publishing clinical material are considered. These include the 'ownership' of such material, the responsibilities of the analyst towards patients and professional colleagues, the keeping and status of records, the nature of trust and confidentiality and its place in analysis, the question of obtaining consent for publication, the nature of consent, and its consequences for treatment. The issues of disguise, of authenticity, and of accuracy are also touched on, as is the potential role of the author's anonymity in protecting the anonymity of the patient.