Penn Bioethics Seminar (PBS): "The Promises and Perils of Palliative Psychiatry: Implications for Psychiatric Ethics" - Daniel Buchman, PhD, MSW
12:00pm - 1:00pm • VIRTUAL
2026-09-15 12:00:00 2026-09-15 13:00:00 America/New_York Penn Bioethics Seminar (PBS): "The Promises and Perils of Palliative Psychiatry: Implications for Psychiatric Ethics" - Daniel Buchman, PhD, MSW The Promises and Perils of Palliative Psychiatry: Implications for Psychiatric Ethics Daniel Buchman, PhD, MSW Associate Professor Dalla Lana School of Public Health, dept. of psychiatry University of Toronto senior Scientist, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Palliative psychiatry has emerged as a potential framework that applies the principles of palliative care for serious physical illnesses to people living with severe and persistent mental illnesses (SPMI). This talk examines the ethical foundations of palliative psychiatry and its implications for practice. First, Dr. Buchman defines palliative psychiatry and distinguishes it from traditional psychiatric approaches oriented toward symptom remission and functional recovery. Second, he identifies key ethical promises and perils raised by this emerging framework, considering its potential benefits alongside significant risks to patient welfare and clinical practice. Finally, Dr. Buchman outlines research, clinical, and educational priorities to guide the responsible development of this field. Dr. Buchman argues that careful ethical scrutiny is essential to ensure palliative psychiatry enhances, rather than undermines, care for people with SPMI. VIRTUAL Penn Medical EthicsThe Promises and Perils of Palliative Psychiatry: Implications for Psychiatric Ethics
Associate Professor
Dalla Lana School of Public Health, dept. of psychiatry
University of Toronto
senior Scientist, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Palliative psychiatry has emerged as a potential framework that applies the principles of palliative care for serious physical illnesses to people living with severe and persistent mental illnesses (SPMI). This talk examines the ethical foundations of palliative psychiatry and its implications for practice. First, Dr. Buchman defines palliative psychiatry and distinguishes it from traditional psychiatric approaches oriented toward symptom remission and functional recovery. Second, he identifies key ethical promises and perils raised by this emerging framework, considering its potential benefits alongside significant risks to patient welfare and clinical practice. Finally, Dr. Buchman outlines research, clinical, and educational priorities to guide the responsible development of this field. Dr. Buchman argues that careful ethical scrutiny is essential to ensure palliative psychiatry enhances, rather than undermines, care for people with SPMI.